IU's Bangabandhu Hall renamed Shah Azizur Rahman Hall

The Islamic University (IU) authorities in Kushtia have changed the names of one academic building and four residential halls, with Bangabandhu Hall renamed after former prime minister Shah Azizur Rahman.

Four other buildings and halls, which were previously named after ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members, also received new names, according to a notice issued by the university administration today (5 March).

As per the notice, Sheikh Hasina Hall has been renamed as July 36 Hall, Sheikh Russel Hall as Shaheed Anas Hall, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Hall as Ummul Mumineen Ayesha Siddiqua Hall and Wazed Mia Science Building as Ibn Sina Science Building.

The name changes came following the decision no-6 at the 267th syndicate meeting held on 26 February, said the notice.

The decision was taken after receiving a letter from the Ministry of Secondary and Higher Studies, it adds.

Shah Azizur Rahman was an against the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, and was a member of the delegation of Pakistani military junta to the United Nations.

After the liberation of Bangladesh, Shah Azizur Rahman was arrested under the Collaborators Act and was released in December 1973 following the declaration of general amnesty by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, according to Banglapedia.

In June 1978, Azizur Rahman was included in the cabinet of former president Ziaur Rahman and was in charge of the Ministry of Labour and Industry.

He had been the senior vice president of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) from 1978 to 1985.

Azizur was elected a member of the Jatiya Sangsad in 1979 from Kushtia-3 constituency as a BNP candidate.