Syed Abul Maksud
| Journalist and Social Activist |
| Journalist and Social Activist |
Full Name: Syed Abul Maksud
Affiliation: Freelance Journalist
Current Position: Deceased
Date of Birth: October 23, 1946
Date of Death: February 23, 2021
Place of Birth: Bangladesh
Home District: Manikganj
Nationality: Bangladeshi
Profile:
Syed Abul Maksud (23 October 1946 – 23 February 2021) was journalist, columnist, research scholar, essayist, and writer. He was a leading advocate for human rights, environment, and good governance. Maksud was a vice-president of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon and a permanent member of the National Press Club. He was involved in various social activities and movements to preserve the environment and uphold the rights of the country’s citizens. He was a regular columnist for daily Prothom Alo and wrote columns under columns 'Sahajia Karcha' and 'Bagha Tentul' on society, politics, literature and culture in the daily.
Maksud, son of Syed Abul Mahmud and Saleha Begum, was born in Elachipur village in Shibalaya upazila of Manikganj district. He started his journalism career at the weekly Nabajug, edited by M Anisuzzaman in 1964. This paper was the mouthpiece of Pakistan Socialist Party. Later, he worked at weekly 'Janata', supported by the National Awami Party, for some time. He joined national news agency Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) after the merger of BPI with state-owned BSS in mid 1970s. On March 2, 2004, he resigned from the editorial department of the news agency BSS.
Maksud's first poetry collection Bikelbela was published in 1981. The second one Dara Shikoh followed in 1987. His essays on literature, society, culture and politics are much appreciated for his clear view, lucid language and simple style. He carried out substantive research works on "the lives of famous litterateurs such as Rabindranath Tagore, Buddhadeva Bose", Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Syed Waliullah and Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani. His book "Germany's Journal" is a popular travel book was highly praised at home and abroad. He was the founding editor of Chattogram-based Dainik Suprobhat.
Maksud wrote over 40 books, including Bhasani Kahini; Kagmari Sammelan: Moulana Bhasanir Purba Banglar Swadhikar O Samrajyabadbirodhi Sangram; Dhaka Bishwabidalay O Bangladeshe Uchchoshikhkha; Juddha O Manusher Murkhata; Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasanir Jiban: Karmakanda, Rajniti O Darshan; Bangali Jati Bangali Musalman Bangali Jatiyatabad; Gandhi, Nehru and Noakhali; Dhakar Buddhadeb Basu; Syed Waliullah’r Jibon O Sahitya; Rabindranather Dharmatattwa O Darshan.
Maksud was awarded the Bangla Academy Award in 1995 for his contribution to Bangla literature. He wrote many books and articles on politics, society, literature, and the culture of Bangladesh.
Protesting the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Maksud started boycotting stitched clothes. Since then he wore two pieces of white cloth. He died on 23 February 2021 wearing the same attire.
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