Abul Faraḥ Muḥammad ʿAbdul Ḥaque Farīdī (25 May 1903 – 5 February 1996) was a Bangladeshi educator and author. In recognition of his contributions in the field of linguistics, he was awarded a Bangla Academy Fellowship.[1][2] Faridi was the founder of Islamic Foundation Bangladesh's Islami Bishwakosh (Islamic encyclopedia) project and also worked closely with Bangladesh Scouts.[3]
Abul Farah Muhammad Abdul Haque Faridi | |
|---|---|
আবুল ফারাহ মুহাম্মদ আবদুল হক ফরিদী | |
| Born | May 25, 1903 Paikapara, Naria Thana, Faridpur District, Bengal Presidency (now in Shariatpur District, Bangladesh) |
| Died | February 5, 1996 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Alma mater | Dhaka University, University of Leeds, University of Illinois |
| Occupation(s) | Lecturer, educationist, author |
| Known for | Islami Bishwakosh |
| Notable work | Madrasa Shikkha: Bangladesh (1976) |
| Children | Ataul Haque |
| Parents |
|
| Family | Haque family |
| Awards | Bangla Academy Fellowship |
Early life and education
editAbdul Haque Faridi was born on 25 May 1903 in Paikpara, Naria, which was a part of the Faridpur district at the time (now in Shariatpur District). After receiving his primary education from a rural maktab, he was admitted to a reformed (or new scheme)[4] madrasa, passed the entrance examination in 1923, and subsequently the Islamic intermediate in 1925. In both examinations, Faridi was one of the highest-scoring students in Bengal. He received a Bachelor of Science in 1928 from the Islamic Studies Department of the University of Dhaka and a master's degree in 1929. In 1933, he was awarded a first-class Master of Arts degree in Persian literature while still in the government workplace. He later earned a Diploma in Education from the University of Leeds and an Advanced Certificate in Education Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the United States.[2]
Career
editFaridi started his career as a lecturer at the Chittagong College and later promoted to Educational Service, he served as the Assistant School Inspector of Muslim Education in Burdwan. He was also the first president of the Anjuman Mufidul Islam from 1947 to 1949.[5] He then retired as Director of Public Education in East Pakistan in 1966. After his retirement, Faridi served as Honorary Treasurer of Dhaka University for 6 years and also its acting vice-chancellor for some time.
Working closely with Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Faridi translated many books. In 1976, he wrote a book on madrasa education titled Madrasa Shikkha: Bangladesh. Faridi was appointed Director General of Islamic Foundation Bangladesh in October 1977 for two years.[6] Faridi became the leading founder of the foundation's Islami Bishwakosh project, a 25-volume Islamic encyclopedia which would also have a concise version. As president of the encyclopedia's editorial board, 18 volumes were completed during Faridi's lifetime.[2]
Death and legacy
editAbdul Haque Faridi died on 5 February 1996 in Dhaka.[2] His son, Ataul Haque, was the former Cabinet Secretary of Bangladesh from 18 January 1997 to 13 December 1998.[7]
References
edit- ^ বাংলা একাডেমি প্রদত্ত অন্যান্য পুরস্কার ও সম্মানসূচক ফেলোশিপপ্রাপ্ত বিশিষ্টজনের তালিকা [List of other awardees and honorary fellowships awarded by the Bangla Academy]. Bangla Academy. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- ^ a b c d AKM Nurul Alam (2012). "Faridi, Abdul Haque". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Muhammad Ramjul Huq (2012). "Bangladesh Scouts". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
- ^ Haque, Mozammel (Second Quarter 2003). "Traditional and Modern System of Education: An Attempt at a Synthesis in Muslim Bengal: A Case Study". The Islamic Quarterly. 47 (2). Islamic Cultural Centre: 132.
- ^ Sirajul Islam, ed. (2003). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Vol. 1. p. 217.
- ^ ইসলামিক ফাউন্ডেশন-মহাপরিচালকবৃন্দ. Islamic Foundation Bangladesh. Archived from the original on 12 January 2019. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- ^ জেলার ঐতিহ্য. Shariatpur District (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 15 July 2020.