Thousands attend ex-AL minister Mosharraf Hossain’s janaza in Ctg

The namaz-e-janaza of veteran politician, freedom fighter, a presidium member of the now-banned Awami League, former housing and public works minister, and former member of parliament for Chattogram-1, Engineer Mosharraf Hossain, was held at the premises of Jamiatul Falah Mosque in Chattogram at 11am today (14 May). 

Several thousand people from all walks of life joined the funeral prayers, including mayor Shahadat Hossain, leaders and activists from different political parties, freedom fighters, as well as social and cultural figures. Attendees paid tribute to his long political career, contributions to the Liberation War, and role in the development of Chattogram.

As the coffin-bearing vehicle left the mosque premises following the janaza, leaders and activists of the activities-banned Bangladesh Awami League, along with its associate bodies Bangladesh Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League, became emotional and chanted "Joy Bangla" slogans. They later brought out a procession behind the hearse and continued chanting slogans from Jamiatul Falah Mosque to the WASA intersection.

A large number of police personnel were deployed across the city, centring the janaza. However, no arrests or untoward incidents were reported.

Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Shahadat Hossain said, "He was a decent politician. His contribution to the Liberation War was undeniable. We must recognise his contribution to the country's development above political identity. On behalf of the city corporation, we express our condolences over his death."

Md Idris, former commander of Chattogram South District Muktijoddha Sangsad and a wartime group commander, said, "His contribution to the Liberation War was undeniable. He supported and encouraged freedom fighters in various ways at the training camps in India. After independence, he also played a leading role in the development of Chattogram."

Engineer Mosharraf Hossain died while undergoing treatment at Square Hospital in the capital yesterday (13 May). He was 83.

According to family members and party leaders, he passed away at around 10:20am after suffering from various age-related complications for a long time.

He served as a presidium member of the Bangladesh Awami League and, during his long political career, held the portfolios of the civil aviation and tourism ministry and the housing and public works ministry. He served as a minister during the 1996–2001 and 2014–2019 terms. He was also known as an industrialist.

Mosharraf Hossain was elected six times from the Chattogram-1 (Mirsharai) constituency — in 1973, 1986, 1996, 2008, 2014 and 2018. He began his political career in 1970 as a member of the then East Pakistan Provincial Assembly. He actively participated in the 1971 Liberation War and was one of the framers of the 1972 Constitution.

Following the fall of the Awami League government during the July uprising in 2024, authorities arrested him from the capital's Bhatara area on 27 October that year. He was later sent to Chattogram Central Jail.

After falling seriously ill on 5 August 2025, he was admitted to Bangladesh Medical University Hospital. He was later released on bail on 14 August.

Throughout his political life, he made notable contributions to Chattogram's infrastructure development, road connectivity, and housing sector. His death has cast a shadow of grief over the country's political arena, particularly in Chattogram.