Mohammad Abdul Hamid (born 1 January 1944) is a Bangladeshi politician who served as the 15th president of Bangladesh from 2013 to 2023.[1][2] He was elected to his first term in April 2013,[3][4] and re-elected in 2018.[5][6] Previously, he served as the speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad from January 2009 to April 2013. He was the acting president after the death of Zillur Rahman in March 2013.[7][4] He was the longest serving president in the history of Bangladesh.[8][9]
Mohammad Abdul Hamid | |
|---|---|
মোহাম্মদ আব্দুল হামিদ | |
 Hamid in 2019 | |
| 15th President of Bangladesh | |
| In office 14 March 2013 – 24 April 2023 (Acting: 14 March 2013 – 24 April 2013) | |
| Prime Minister | Sheikh Hasina |
| Preceded by | Zillur Rahman |
| Succeeded by | Mohammed Shahabuddin |
| 9th Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad | |
| In office 25 January 2009 – 24 April 2013 | |
| Deputy | Shawkat Ali |
| Preceded by | Jamiruddin Sircar |
| Succeeded by | Shawkat Ali (Acting) |
| In office 12 July 2001 – 28 October 2001 | |
| Deputy | Ali Ashraf |
| Preceded by | Humayun Rashid Chowdhury |
| Succeeded by | Jamiruddin Sircar |
| 8th Deputy Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad | |
| In office 14 July 1996 – 10 July 2001 | |
| Speaker | Humayun Rashid Chowdhury |
| Preceded by | L. K. Siddiqi |
| Succeeded by | Ali Ashraf |
| Member of Parliament | |
| In office 2008–2013 | |
| Preceded by | Osman Faruk |
| Succeeded by | Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq |
| Constituency | Kishoreganj-4 |
| In office June 1996 – 2006 | |
| Preceded by | Imdadul Haque |
| Succeeded by | Md. Afzal Hossain |
| Constituency | Kishoreganj-5 |
| In office 1990–1996 | |
| Preceded by | Abdul Latif Bhuiyan |
| Succeeded by | Imdadul Haque |
| Constituency | Kishoreganj-5 |
| In office 1986–1988 | |
| Preceded by | constituency established |
| Succeeded by | Abdul Latif Bhuiyan |
| Constituency | Kishoreganj-5 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 January 1944 Kamalpur, Bengal, British India |
| Political party | Bangladesh Awami League |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4, including Rejwan |
| Alma mater | Gurudayal Government College |
| Awards | .svg){kind=small} Independence Award (2013) |
Early life and education
editHamid was born in Kamalpur village, Mithamain Upazila under Kishoreganj District to Mohammad Tayebuddin and Tomiza Khatun.[7] He started his early education in the village primary school. After finishing primary education, he went to his relative's house in Bhairabpur and joined Bhairab K.B. Pilot High School for secondary education. Abdul Hamid passed I.A. and B.A. from Gurudayal Government College in Kishoreganj. He obtained the degree of LL.B. from Central Law College which is now affiliated with the University of Dhaka.[7][10] He then joined Kishoreganj Bar as an advocate. He was President of the Kishoreganj District Bar Association five times during 1990–96.[7]
Political career
editHamid joined Chhatra League in 1959 whilst a student in Kishoreganj, as the vice-president of Gurudayal Government College. He was also elected the vice-president of the Chhatra League of Mymensingh District Unit in 1966–67.[11] At the end of 1969, he joined the Awami League. In the 1970 Pakistan general election, Abdul Hamid was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Mymensingh-18 constituency; he was the youngest person elected. In the general elections of 1973, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2009 he was elected as Member of Parliament for Kishoreganj-5 constituency as a nominee of the Awami League. He was the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh when an Awami League government was in office from 1996 to 2001. On 25 January 2009, he became the Speaker of the National Parliament.[12] For his contribution to the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, he received the Independence Award in 2013.[13]
Presidency
edit
Hamid was appointed acting president of Bangladesh on 14 March 2013, while President Zillur Rahman was in hospital in Singapore. Zillur Rahman died six days later.[14] Later, Abdul Hamid was elected unopposed as president on 22 April 2013. He was sworn into office on 24 April.[11] On 7 February 2018, he was re-elected unopposed for a second term.[6]
Hamid suggested that a United Nations-administered humanitarian corridor be established in Myanmar for the Rohingya Muslims.[15]
Electoral history
editPersonal life
editHamid has been married to Rashida Hamid since 1964.[16][17] Together they have three sons and one daughter.[7] His son Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq is a MP from Kishoreganj-4.[18]
References
edit- ^ "Abdul Hamid becomes 1st president to complete 2 consecutive terms". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 23 April 2023.
- ^ "Bangladesh President Signs Controversial Digital Security Bill Into Law". Voice of America. 8 October 2018.
- ^ "PRESIDENT ABDUL HAMID - OUR LUCKY 7?". The Daily Star. 24 January 2018. Archived from the original on 19 June 2023.
- ^ a b "Hamid elected president". The Daily Star. 22 April 2013. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ "Shahabuddin sworn in as president as Hamid's tenure, the longest, ends". The Business Standard. 24 April 2023.
- ^ a b "Hamid elected president for second term". The Daily Star. 7 February 2018. Archived from the original on 17 July 2019. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ a b c d e "Speaker's Biography" (PDF). Bangladesh Parliament. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
- ^ "Bangladesh President invites Hasina to form government". The Hindu. PTI. 3 January 2019. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ "President Hamid made a unique record". The Daily Star. 25 April 2018. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ "The Honorable President: H. E. Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid". Archived from the original on 23 February 2020. Retrieved 15 April 2020.
- ^ a b "Life Sketch of Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid". bangabhaban.gov.bd. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ "List of Speakers, Bangladesh Parliament". Archived from the original on 9 August 2020. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ "Eight receive Independence Awards". bdnews24.com. 25 March 2013. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Bangladesh president Zillur Rahman dies in Singapore". Firstpost. Archived from the original on 27 July 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2013.
- ^ "President Hamid discusses 'Rohingya safe zone' with Turkish President Erdogan". bdnews24.com. 10 September 2017. Archived from the original on 12 September 2017. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
- ^ কপাল ভালো বউডা আমার বাইট্টা. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 13 February 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2019.
- ^ "President's wife stresses women's advanced capability to face challenges | News".
- ^ "Kishoreganj: Where sons of three presidents contesting". The Daily Star. 28 December 2018. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
