Foyasal khan: On the morning of June 2, Shah Abdul Hannan (born on 23 September 1939), former secretary, chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB), died at age 82.  With his demise, the Muslim world has lost a distinguished and able economist as well as a prolific author on contemporary Islamic thoughts. Bangladesh has also lost a visionary, a life-long educator, and a profound humanist, who played a key role in establishing many institutions, including Islamic Economics Research Bureau (IERB), Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited (IBBL), North South University (NSU), Manarat International University (MIU), Darul Ihsan Trust, Diganta Media Corporation, Ibn Sina Trust, Central Shariah Board for Islamic Banks of Bangladesh (CSBIBB), Islamic Bank Consultative Forum, and Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT). Thus, he has made extraordinary contributions to education and knowledge reform and the reconstruction of thought.

Shah Abdul Hannan will be an exemplary role model in the intellectual development and nation building, said Professor Dr. Muhammad Shamsher Ali, the eminent nuclear scientist, a former president of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, and founding chairman of Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought (BIIT). Highlighting the integrity and competence of Shah Abdul Hannan, Dr. Ali said that his personal life was a beacon for present and future generations. He was speaking as the keynote speaker at an online discussion and prayer ceremony on `Shah Abdul Hannan in the Intellectual Development and Nation-Building` organized by BIIT on 12 June 2021, Saturday night.

The ceremony was presided over by Professor Dr. Abdul Awal Khan, BIIT President and a former director of the Institute of Education and Research (IER), University of Dhaka. Among others, former secretary to the government of Bangladesh and eminent economist Dr. Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan, Honorary Professor of the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies at  the University of Dhaka Dr. Sukomal Barua, Professor of the department of Chemical Engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia, Founder Secretary General of BIIT M Zahurul Islam FCA, Associate Professor and Former Chairman of the Department of World Religions and Culture at the University of Dhaka Father Dr. Tapan de Rosario, Professor of Finance at the University of New Orleans, USA Dr. M. Kabir Hassan, prominent writer and intellectual Shah Abdul Halim, Bahrain University Professor  of economics at the University of Bahrain Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq, Associate Professor of Islamic Finance Law at the Islamic Economics Institute, King Abdulaziz University, KSA Dr. Abu Umar Faruq Ahmad, Professor of Arabic at the University of Chittagong Dr. AQM Abdul Quader, Professor of Islamic University Kushtia Dr. Abdur Rahman Anwari, and prominent physician Professor Dr. Abu Khaldun Al Mahmud spoke in memory of Shah Abdul Hannan. Dr. M Abdul Aziz, executive director of BIIT moderated the program. The speakers mourned the death of the deceased and prayed for him.

Professor M. Shamsher Ali added that since his acquaintance with Shah Abdul Hannan in the 1950s, he has seen him accustomed to a simple life. Dr. Ali was senior to Mr. Hannan. Despite this, he learned much from the behavior and words of Mr. Hannan. He had a keen interest in learning and acquiring knowledge. He has worked tirelessly to establish Islamic values in the society. It is our responsibility to pass on his ideals to the next generation. He called on BIIT to take initiative to publish a memoir on Shah Abdul Hannan.

In his presidential speech, Professor Dr. Abdul Awal Khan said that Shah Abdul Hannan was a man of great mind. He would spontaneously mingle with everyone and invite everyone to study and acquire knowledge. He lived a very simple life. He was a perfect example of following the principle of moderation in every aspect of life.

Dr. Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan said that Shah Abdul Hannan was a man of clean life and clear thinking. Despite holding various important positions, he did not indulge in corruption in his life and did not take any extra advantage. He has put his signature of work efficiency in every place of duty. He called for special initiatives to nurture and spread this ideology of Shah Abdul Hannan.

Professor Dr. Sukomal Barua said that Shah Abdul Hannan was a never-to-be-forgotten figure of non-communal consciousness. He has set a great example of non-communal and liberal consciousness in his words, deeds and behavior. Just as he was devoted to the worship of the Creator, so he was beautiful in his dealings and hospitality with people. He would take part in discussions with everyone, regardless of party affiliation or religion.

Professor Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia said that Shah Abdul Hannan has played a major role in women`s awakening by presenting a positive interpretation of Islam on the position of women in the workplace. Through various study circles and discussions, he highlighted the equality and equity point of view of Islam on women`s clothing, inheritance and social status. Dr. Razia added that by taking part in all these study circles, the scope of her knowledge has widened and she has found simple solutions to many complex issues.

Father Dr. Tapan de Rosario said that Shah Abdul Hannan was a humanitarian scholar. He has always worked for humanity with his intellectual observations. Extremism had no place in his thinking and he would discuss its harmful and dangerous aspects.

Apart from this, various eminent persons took part in the discussion and said that the life of Shah Abdul Hannan must be passed on to the future generations. For the greater benefit and interest of the country, the nation and the people, the life and works of Shah Abdul Hannan, a man of rare character and versatile talent, must be analyzed rising above partisanship. 

The event was attended by more than three hundred people, including researchers and teachers from around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. At the end of the program, Poet Maulana Ruhul Amin Khan, Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Jamiatul Modarresin, gave a short speech and conducted a prayer for Jannatul Ferdous for late Shah Abdul Hannan.

Author: Dr. Foyasal Khan is an IIIT Scholar and a Research Fellow at the Bangladesh Institute of Islamic Thought. He can be reached at foyasal.khan@gmail.com