Mahfuz Ullah (10 March 1950 – 27 April 2019) was a Bangladeshi writer, journalist, television personality and environmentalist. He was notable for environmental journalism in Bangladesh.[1] He was the founder Secretary General of the Center for Sustainable Development.

Mahfuz Ullah
মাহফুজ উল্লাহ
Born(1950-03-10)10 March 1950
Died27 April 2019(2019-04-27) (aged 69)
Bangkok, Thailand
NationalityBangladeshi
Alma materUniversity of Dhaka
Occupation(s)Journalist, television personality, environmentalist
RelativesMuzaffar Ahmed (grandfather)

Early life edit

Ullah was born on 10 March 1950 at Begumganj Upazila in Noakhali District of the then East Bengal to Habibullah and Foyzunnisa Begum.[2] He was the grandson of Muzaffar Ahmed, one of the socialist movement activists in the Indian subcontinent. He obtained his master's in physics in 1972 and again in journalism in 1974 from the University of Dhaka.[3] Because of his involvement in student politics, Ayub Khan's military backed government expelled him from Dhaka College.[4][5]

Ullah was involved with East Pakistan Students Union and served as its president.[6][7][8] He participated in 1969 Mass uprising.[7]

Career edit

Ullah started his career in journalism when he was a student. He had been associated with Weekly Bichitra since its inception in 1972.[3] He worked as a language expert of China matters and Press Officer at the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in Kolkata.[3] He was a visiting teacher at the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University.[9] Mahfuz Ullah had hosted radio and television shows and been involved with leading Bangla and English dailies in Bangladesh.[10] He was also an adjunct professor at the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication of Daffodil International University.[11]

Ullah was the founder secretary general of an environmental organization named Center for Sustainable Development.[7] He was elected as the first Bangladeshi member of the International Board of Directors of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.[3]

Books edit

Ullah wrote and edited more than 50 books. Some of his notable works include the biographies of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, the mass uprising of 1969 and the insurgency in Assam and post-independent Bangladesh.[12][5]

Death edit

Ullah died on 27 April 2019 at the age of 69 at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.[13]

References edit

  1. ^ 'মাহফুজ উল্লাহ বেঁচে আছেন'. banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  2. ^ চলে গেলেন বিশিষ্ট সাংবাদিক ও লেখক মাহফুজ উল্লাহ. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d "Journalist Mahfuz Ullah still alive, says daughter". The Daily Star. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  4. ^ না ফেরার দেশে সাংবাদিক মাহফুজ উল্লাহ. www.dhakatimes24.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  5. ^ a b সাংবাদিক মাহফুজ উল্লাহ এখনো বেঁচে আছেন: মেয়ে নুসরাত. Daily Nayadiganta (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  6. ^ আইসিইউতে সাংবাদিক মাহফুজ উল্লাহ. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  7. ^ a b c "Journalist Mahfuz Ullah in critical condition". Dhaka Tribune. 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  8. ^ সাংবাদিক মাহফুজ উল্লাহর মৃত্যু নিয়ে বিভ্রান্তি. Jugantor (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  9. ^ সাংবাদিক মাহফুজ উল্লাহ এখনো বেঁচে আছেন: মেয়ে নুসরাত. NTV (in Bengali). Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  10. ^ "Journalist Mahfuz Ullah dies at 69". The Daily Star. 2019-04-27. Retrieved 2019-04-28.
  11. ^ "Mr. Mahfuz Ullah". faculty.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  12. ^ "Journalist Mahfuz Ullah still alive, says daughter". UNB. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
  13. ^ "Journalist Mahfuz Ullah dies at 69". The Daily Star. 27 April 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2019.