Dr. Humayun Azad: An obituary

By Mohammad Asghar


With the sudden demise in Germany of Dr. Humayun Azad, we have lost a great human being. He came to Germany, probably, to escape from the sharp instruments of death of the Islamic fundamentalists of Bangladesh, but death, brought closer to him by their attack some time ago, chased him to his �sanctuary,� where he is believed to have died in his sleep. To his admirers the cause of his death is suspicious, and it would continue to remains so, until the German authority carries out its investigation, and puts their concern on the cause of his death to rest. 

When living in Bangladesh, I often used to read his name in the newspapers, but I never tried to find out what were his position on Islam, and the rights it has supposedly given to Muslim women. My ignorance on his stand disappeared after I got the opportunity to read his book �Naari.�

I believe Naari is a masterpiece of Dr. Azad. It is a lode of learning for those people who seek knowledge on an important subject as the treatment of Muslim women by their religious scripture is. He was passionate and highly objective in his discourse, though the people and the Government of Bangladesh had failed to appreciate these qualities of his due to their bigotry and ignorance.

Dr. Azad�s death is also a great loss for the Freethinkers of the world. Though it would be very difficult for us to find his replacement in our midst soon, yet we shall have to continue with our efforts to free a large number of human beings from the destructive clutches of Islam. I believe that our success, no matter how modest, would be a befitting tribute for Dr. Azad, and the legacy he has left behind for all of us to emulate.

Let us work together to achieve what Dr. Azad himself had tried to achieve during his sojourn on earth. Only through our energized efforts would we, the Freethinkers, ever be able to pay our homage to a great man  as Dr. Azad was in his lifetime. Let us work harder to free those human beings who have been shackled, and consigned to ignominy and wilderness by the inauspicious cult of Islam. In their emancipation lies the wellbeing of the world. Failure to play our due role in the matter would not only make Dr. Azad�s efforts redundant, it would also be a cause of enormous sufferings for our future generations.

Therefore, let us continue with our efforts at securing the future of our children and grandchildren, despite being threatened, attacked, hacked to death, or maimed by the evil forces of Islam. In our sacrifice lies our and our children�s salvation; we must achieve it, no matter how high a price we must pay for it. Shrinking from our responsibility would mean disaster for mankind, and this we must not allow to happen, even if we are forced to sacrifice our lives. After all, life is meaningless, if one cannot live it with dignity, respect and honor.

I mourn Dr. Azad�s death with the members of his family. I hope they would be able to overcome their grief soon, for, though he is no more in their midst, but his achievements and courage and other human qualities are strong substitutes to compensate for his physical absence. These should inspire not only to hold themselves to his memory, but these should also give them enough strength to continue with their life. I wish them all the best in future.

August 13, 2004

Mohammad Asghar writes from USA. 

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