Syed Manzoorul Islam was regarded as a guiding light in Bangladesh’s education and literary spheres. Speakers at a memorial event described him as a person of exceptional warmth, generosity, and sincerity.
They shared these reflections during a discussion held in memory of the eminent academic, fiction writer, cultural thinker, and former president of PEN Bangladesh. The event was organized by PEN International’s Bangladesh chapter and took place Saturday at the Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium of the Bangla Academy.
The speakers said all who had worked in the field of culture had, in some way, benefited from his support. His teaching was never confined to the classroom; it reached the minds of all who valued intellectual growth. To students, he was an exemplary teacher. His passing, they added, marked the end of an era of wisdom and insight, leaving a profound void in the world of knowledge and thought.
The program began with a welcome address by PEN Bangladesh Secretary General, poet Jahanara Parvin, followed by a recitation dedicated to his memory by poet Jahid Haider. A violin performance by Dr. Shiuli Bhattacharya, accompanied on the tabla by Sukanto Das, was presented at the event. Writer Shahnaj Nasrin read a biographical sketch of Syed Manzoorul Islam.
Following the reminiscences and speeches, a documentary titled “Prem O Prarthonay Syed Manzoorul Islam (Syed Manzoorul Islam in Love and Prayer)” was screened. A commemorative book of the same title was also unveiled.
The event was conducted by poet Shamim Reza, vice president of PEN Bangladesh. Among those present were former University Grants Commission Chairman and Dhaka University Emeritus Professor Nazrul Islam; former secretary and Bangladesh Public Service Commission member, poet Asad Mannan; poet Jahid Haider; PEN Bangladesh President and Dhaka University and ULAB Professor Shamsad Mortuza; Dhaka University English Department Assistant Professor Sanjeeda Hossain; Brunel University London student Syeda Novera Anwar; Ekushey Padak-winning artist Shahjahan Bikash; Publisher Md Jasim Uddin of Kotha Prokash; PEN Bangladesh Vice President and writer Parvez Hossain; former additional secretary and children’s author Manik Muhammad Razzak; fiction writer Mashiul Alam; poet and folk editor Aniket Shamim; poet and journalist Jahanara Parvin of PEN Bangladesh; fiction writer Nasima Anis; and writer Shahnaj Nasrin, among others.
