Eminent scientist and husband of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Dr MA Wazed Miah passed away yesterday afternoon in the capital's Square Hospital after a prolonged battle with multiple illnesses.
The prime minister was beside her husband at the moment of his passing away. He had been suffering for long from high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, and renal failure, and had been undergoing treatment in the hospital for the last one year.
The health condition of Dr Wazed, an internationally renowned nuclear scientist and a former chief of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, started deteriorating for the worst after 2:30pm, and he breathed his last around 4:25pm, doctors said.
His body was taken to his Sudha Sadan residence in Dhanmondi from the hospital around 5:25pm. Hundreds of citizens including ministers, state ministers, lawmakers, leaders of Awami League and its associated organisations, relatives, and admirers thronged Sudha Sadan to express their condolences to Dr Wazed's bereaved family members.
The youngest among four brothers and sisters, Dr Wazed Miah, survived by his wife Sheikh Hasina, son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, and daughter Saima Wazed Putul. Family sources said Joy and Putul were on their way home from the US and Canada yesterday.
Dr Wazed authored many books including Fundamentals of Thermodynamics, and Fundamentals of Electromagnetics, and got a PhD degree from Imperial College London. He got married to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in 1968.
Dr Wazed's first namaz-e-janaza will be held at Baitul Mokarram National Mosque in the capital today at 10:00am, then his body will be taken to his village home Fathepur in Pirganj of Rangpur.
He will be buried in his family graveyard after a second namaz-e-janaza there. Family sources said he will be buried next to the graves of his father Abdul Kader Miah and mother Moyzennesa. As the news of Dr Wazed's passing away spread in his village, people expressed profound sorrow.
He lived a quiet life in Sudha Sadan after his retirement. He was also known among relatives and friends as 'Sudha Miah'.
President Zillur Rahman expressed his profound sorrow at the death of Dr Wazed Miah. In a condolence message, he said, "The country has lost an eminent scientist at his death."
"The nation will recall with respect the contributions of Dr Wazed in the development of nuclear science in Bangladesh."
The president prayed for salvation of the departed soul, and also expressed his deep sympathy for members of the bereaved family of the departed.
Speaker Abdul Hamid, Deputy Speaker Col (retd) Shawkat Ali, and cabinet members also condoled the death of Dr Wazed. They also prayed for the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathies to the members of the bereaved family.
"The country has lost a talented nuclear scientist and an open-minded man at the death of Dr Wazed Miah," the speaker said in a condolence message.
Immediate past chief adviser to caretaker government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed went to Sudha Sadan at around 9:30pm to offer condolences.
Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed, air force chief Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman, navy chief Rear Admiral ZU Ahmed too visited the Dhanmondi residence and paid respect to Dr Wazed.
KHALEDA'S CONDOLENCE
Leader of the Main Opposition also BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia condoled the death of Dr Wazed Miah. In a condolence message she said, "As a talented and dedicated scientist, Dr Miah contributed immensely to the development of science and technology in the country. I am deeply saddened by his passing away."
"It will take a long time to fill up the vacuum caused by his death," she said adding, "He deserves great praise and honour for his unique politeness and courtesy, and for his righteousness and devotion to his profession."
Expressing her deepest sympathy to the bereaved family members of the departed, the opposition leader said, "I express my deepest condolences to the prime minister and through her to the rest of the bereaved family." Khaleda prayed for salvation of the departed soul.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 01:04 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
A national loss indeed and loss of a role model.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 01:52 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
The nation lost a dedicated scientist of great reputation in the death of Dr. Wazed Miah with whom I had an hour long discussion in Frankfurt airport on his way to attending meeting at International Atomic Energy agency of the United Nations in Vienna in 1998. He was sober,polite and far-sighted gentleman par excellence. I pray for the departed soul.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 02:29 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
He was really a good man. We have lost a great man like him.
May Allah keep him in peace...
Sunday, May 10, 2009 03:53 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
Wajed is one of my best classmates and life-long friends from our days at Rajshahi Goverment College since 1956. I last saw him at his residence in early 2002. He dropped me at BUET Sonali Bank that day. I cherish his memory in good and bad times. Alta joins me to send our condolence to Hasina Bhabi and his two children. We last met Hasina and their daughter in 1992 at Singapore, when her brother-in law was sick there.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 04:00 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
May Allah bless his soul.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 04:28 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
It is really a great shock for the people of Bangladesh. We have lost a great scientist. He might give a great contribution in the beginning of 'digital Bangladesh.' I express deep shock for his death.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 09:12 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
Nation lost a great person. I have no word to express my shock to oversee his death......
Sunday, May 10, 2009 09:39 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
The Bangladesh has lost a great and prominent nuclear scientist and the country with remember his unprecedented contributions. The PM has lost her beloved husband and a country has lost a famous scientist. Death is inevitable and every living creature has to embrace and that could happen at any time irrespective of age.
May ALLAH GIVE HER COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO BEAR THIS IRREPARABLE LOSS AND SHE HAS FORTUNATELY MILLIONS OF COUNTRY MEN TO MOURN INCLUDING FAMILY MEMBERS.
The only consolation is that he got the best possible medical support in the country.
Dear PM you have millions of country men with you and hope you will able to devote more time ,energy to build the country to fulfill the dreams of the great leader and the father of the nation.
We all pray to the almighty for the salvation of the departed soul though the pang would never be faded out.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 10:19 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
While our Nuclear scientists, energy experts and policymakers said the country has no alternative but to set up nuclear power plants to meet the country's growing energy demands but called for extensive precautions to prevent a future nuclear catastrophe, then we realize what an eminent scientist and the son of the soil of our motherland, Dr. Miah, has lost all of his personal, professional and academic endeavor to clear the clouds in our horizon.
May His Holiness shower His blessings on him and to one and all.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 07:20 AM GMT+06:00 (235 weeks ago)
Facts are facts and will not disappear on account of your likings.
May His Holiness shower His blessings on you and to one and all.
Monday, May 11, 2009 05:09 PM GMT+06:00 (234 weeks ago)
We were deeply saddened to hear about the death of Dr Wazed Miah. We know how difficult this must be for our Prime Minister. He was such a kind and gentle soul. We encourage her to draw strength for herself and the strength of her family as well. We are praying for Allah's peace and comfort and blessings for all of her family. May Allah be with her in this hour of grief.With Deepest Sympathy.
Monday, May 11, 2009 07:56 PM GMT+06:00 (234 weeks ago)
Demise of Dr. Wazed is an irreparable loss to the country. He will be remembered as an intellectual and one of the brightest son of the soil.
May his soul rest in peace.
Monday, May 11, 2009 06:31 PM GMT+06:00 (234 weeks ago)
He was a very humble man, May Allah Grant him Jannat, Aamin
Sunday, May 10, 2009 09:25 PM GMT+06:00 (234 weeks ago)
You will live with us because of your great contribution to the nation though you are not in the world. You have already gone away by cut off all the relations with the world. But we will remember you because of your excellent deed. May God bless his departed soul!
Monday, May 11, 2009 03:43 AM GMT+06:00 (234 weeks ago)
We would be a better nation if more of us had Dr Wazed's qualities. May Allah receive this sincere, decent, good man.