Family members, colleagues and admirers in the media and business circles bid iconic business journalist and Editor of The Financial Express (FE) A.H.M. Moazzem Hossain the final bye with teary eyes on Thursday.
He was laid to rest at the Azimpur Graveyard in the capital on the day.
After decades-long professional career, he breathed his last on Wednesday evening at Square Hospital where he was undergoing treatment.
He was laid to rest at about 1:15 pm at the graveyard after his namaz-e- janaza on four occasions.
First namaz-e-janaza of the 73-year-old veteran journalist was held at his residential compound of the Ramna Estate Complex at Boro Moghbazar in the morning.
Then his body was taken to the office of The Financial Express where he spent most time of his glorious career as an editor. His second namaz-e-janaza was held there. Mahbubur Rahman, Chairman of International Publications Limited (IPL), the owning company of the FE, and the FE staff attended the janaza.
After that, the body was taken to the headquarters of Southeast Bank Ltd where he was an independent director for long.
His final namaz-e-janaza took place at the National Press Club.
Information minister, senior politicians, editors of various dailies, businesspeople and senior journalists took part in the janaza and paid tributes to him.
Describing his presence as a glittering star in the realm of journalism, Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu said he (Moazzem Hossain) was an efficient, professional and honest journalist.
“I would say his death is premature. If he had been alive more years, he would have contributed more to the country’s journalism arena,” he said.
Former editor of News Today Reazuddin Ahmed shared his experience of launching the financial daily along with the just-passed icon.
“He was the editor and I was the chief editor of the daily. I often came to the press club to pass some time, but he didn’t. He worked in the office nonstop. That kind of dedication he had,” Mr Ahmed said.
Prime Minister’s Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury remembered the outstanding contributions of the veteran journalist to journalism.
“His professional integrity, high level of ethics and commitment will be followed by the present and future journalists,” he said.
Editor of Manab Zamin Motiur Rahman Chowdhury said there is no alternative to Mr Moazzem who added a new dimension to journalism.
“Vacuum is irreparable,” he added.
Editor of the Daily Star Mahfuz Anam termed late Moazzem Hossain a talented and honest journalist.
Former president of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul said he was an institution and had the unmatchable personality.
He also urged the young reporters to follow him.
Apart from IPL director Rizwan Rahman and acting editor of the FE Shahiduzzaman Khan, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and its standing committee members Nazrul Islam Khan, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury took part in the janaza.
Former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Mohammed Farashuddin, ex-president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) AK Azad, former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), editor of Bhorer Kagoj Shyamal Dutta, editor of the daily Bonik Barta Dewan Hanif Mahmud, editor of the Daily Share Biz Meer Moniruzzaman, managing director and chief editor of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) Abul Kalam Azad, former president of the National Press Club Shawkat Mahmud and president of Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) Saif Islam Dilal were also present.
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