Ex-FM Hasan Mahmud seen publicly at Eid congregation in London

Awami League joint general secretary and former foreign minister Hasan Mahmud made a rare public appearance at an Eid congregation in London. 

He attended Eid prayers at Al-Kalam Mosque in the Gants Hill area on Sunday (local time), reports Prothom Alo.

Since the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August following a student-led mass uprising, Hasan Mahmud had not been seen publicly, sparking speculation that he had left the country. 

However, after the Eid prayers in London, he exchanged greetings with acquaintances, and photos of the gathering surfaced on social media.

In one of the two widely circulated images, Hasan Mahmud is seen embracing Syed Farooq, general secretary of the UK Awami League. Another photo shows him posing with journalist Syed Anas Pasha, Anas Pasha's son ITV journalist Mahathir Pasha, and two other teenagers.

Regarding the teenagers' identities, journalist Syed Anas Pasha told Prothom Alo, "One of them is most likely his [Hasna Mahmud's] son, and the other is his nephew." 

He further stated that Hasan Mahmud resides in Belgium and had travelled to London to celebrate Eid with his son, who is studying there.

Syed Anas Pasha also mentioned that Syed Farooq, the UK Awami League general secretary, is his uncle and a resident of the same London neighbourhood.

"After the prayers, he introduced us to Hasan Mahmud," he added.

Attempts to contact Syed Farooq for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls on his mobile phone.

Following the fall of the Awami League-led government on 5 August 2024 in the face of a mass uprising, various media reports claimed that Hasan was reportedly detained from the Dhaka airport while trying to flee the country.

However, on 31 August 2024, Chattogram-based C-Plus TV and Chatga News 6 reported that the former foreign minister had left the country for Belgium, where his brother reportedly lives.