Rafiqul Islam (Bangladeshi politician) explained

Rafiqul Islam
Honorific Suffix:Bir Uttom
Native Name:রফিকুল ইসলাম
Native Name Lang:bn
Constituency Mp:Chandpur-5
Parliament:Bangladesh
Term Start:25 January 2009
Term End:6 August 2024
Predecessor:M. A. Matin
Term Start1:14 July 1996
Term End1:13 July 2001
Predecessor1:M. A. Matin
Birth Date:13 September 1943
Party:Bangladesh Awami League
Allegiance:
(Before 1971)
Branch:
Serviceyears:1964-1972
Unit:East Bengal Regiment
Rank: Major
Commands:
Battles:Bangladesh Liberation War
Awards: Bir Uttom[1]

Rafiqul Islam (born 13 September 1943) is a Bangladesh Awami League politician and a former Jatiya Sangsad member representing the Chandpur-5 constituency.

Early life and career

Rafiqul Islam was born on 13 September 1943, in Naora village, located in Shahrasti municipality of Chandpur district. He is a freedom fighter, writer and politician. He was awarded the Bir Uttam (B.U), the highest gallantry award for bravery in battlefield during the Liberation War in 1971. He was Sector Commander of Number 1 Sector of Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Number 1 sector included all areas east of the Muhuri river in Feni district, Khagrachari district, Rangamati district, Bandarban district,Chittagong district and Cox’s Bazar district, extending up to the western border of Myanmar. After leaving the army at the end of the Liberation War, he served for over 14 years as the Chairman of the following government organizations: Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority, Bangladesh Handloom Board, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation. Afterwards, he was nominated and included in the 1st Caretaker Government of Bangladesh as Advisor during 1990-1991, and was given the responsibility of the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Thereafter, he joined the Bangladesh Awami League and ran for political office. He was elected a member of Bangladesh Parliament in July, 1996 from 264-Chandpur-5 (Hajigonj-Shahrasti Upazillas)[2]

He was re-elected to the parliament in 2008, 2014 and 2018 from Chandpur-5 constituency as a Bangladesh Awami League candidate.[3]

Notes and References

  1. http://www.molwa.gov.bd/site/page/3f3b7628-3ac7-4927-bf6f-c9203fae601f/Bir-Uttam Bangladesh Gazette of 15 December 1973; Ministry of Liberation War Affairs
  2. Web site: Major Rafiqul Islam (Retd.) Bir Uttam . Amarmp. 2019-01-23.
  3. Web site: Major Rafiqul Islam (Retd.) Bir Uttam . Amarmp . 15 November 2018.