Atiqul Islam

Atiqul Islam
আতিকুল ইসলাম
Atiqul in 2022
2nd Mayor of North Dhaka
In office
7 March 2019 – 19 August 2024[1]
Preceded byMd. Jamal Mostafa
(In-charge)
Succeeded byMohammed Mahmudul Hassan (as Administrator)
Personal details
Born (1961-07-01) 1 July 1961 (age 63)
Saidpur, East Pakistan, Pakistan
NationalityBangladeshi
Political partyBangladesh Awami League
SpouseShaila Shagufta Islam
ChildrenBushra Afreen (daughter)
Parent
  • Momtajuddin Ahmed (father)
Relatives
Alma materBAF Shaheen College Dhaka
Known forBusinessman, Politician

Mohammad Atiqul Islam (Bengali: মোহাম্মদ আতিকুল ইসলাম; born 1 July 1961) is a Bangladeshi politician, businessman and the former mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.[2] He was elected in the position in the by-election held on 28 February 2019 and took oath on 7 March.[3][4] Earlier, he served as the president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) during 2013–14.[2]

Early life

Atiqul Islam was born on 1 July 1961 at Saidpur of Nilphamari district to Momtajuddin Ahmed and Majeda Khatun.[5] His hometown is at Daudkandi Upazila (currently Titas Upazila) of Comilla and at the time of his birth, his father was posted at Saidpur.[5] He is the youngest among his 11 siblings.[6] He completed his secondary and higher secondary education from BAF Shaheen College Dhaka.[5][7][8]

Career

Atiqul Islam and his elder brother Shafiqul Islam started the business in the garment sector of Bangladesh by establishing Islam Garments in 1985. He served as the President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) for the year 2013–14.[9] He is serving as the president of the Centre of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industry,[10][2] which is responsible for improving the labor situation and product quality of Bangladesh in garment sectors. The Government of Bangladesh declared him a Commercially Important Person (CIP) on several occasions.[11]

In September 2022, the government broke the trustee board of Manarat International University and created a new board with Atiqul Islam appointed chairman.[12]

After the fall of the Awami League government, he went to the DNCC office in Gulshan on August 18. As protesters gathered in front of the building, he reportedly escaped through the fire escape stairs behind Nagar Bhaban to avoid confrontation.[13]

On 19 August 2024, he was removed from the mayors position by the government.[14]

On 16 October 2024, he was arrested by police at Mohakhali DOHS area in Dhaka. Dhaka Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner (media) Talebur Rahman confirmed the arrest, stating that Atiqul was taken into custody by members of the Mohammadpur police station around 7:00 pm. Talebur further mentioned that Atiqul is accused in several cases filed with Mohammadpur police station, including three cases related to murder charges.[15]

Personal life and family

Atiqul Islam is married to a dental surgeon, Shaila Shagufta Islam and the couple has a daughter, Bushra Afreen.[6] Atiqul Islam's father Momtajuddin Ahmed was a police officer who retired as Superintendent of Police (SP) in 1965.[16] His brother Md. Tafazzul Islam served as the 17th Chief Justice of Bangladesh[17] and another brother Md Mainul Islam is a retired lieutenant general of Bangladesh Army and former Principal staff Officer of Armed Forces Division, Chief of General Staff (CGS) of Bangladesh Army and Director General of Border Guards Bangladesh.[18]

References

  1. ^ "১২ সিটির মেয়র অপসারণ, প্রশাসক নিয়োগ". Dhaka Post (in Bengali). 19 August 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Awami League chooses businessman Atiqul Islam to run for Dhaka North mayor". bdnews24.com. Archived from the original on 23 November 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  3. ^ "Atiqul wins DNCC by-polls". The Daily Star. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Atiqul sworn in as DNCC mayor". The Daily Star. 7 March 2019 – 5 August 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b c "Atiqul Islam". atiqfordhaka.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  6. ^ a b "Atiqul of Awami League re-elected mayor in Dhaka North". bdnews24.com. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2020.
  7. ^ "শাহীন কলেজের সামনে চলন্ত সিঁড়ি বসছে: মেয়র". Banglanews24.com (in Bengali). 25 December 2022.
  8. ^ প্রতিবেদক, নিজস্ব. "শাহিন কলেজই আমার মেয়র হবার ফাউন্ডেশন তৈরি করেছে: আতিক". Daily Inqilab (in Bengali).
  9. ^ "Islam Group of Industries Ltd". Daily Sun. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  10. ^ "Centre of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industry". cebai. Archived from the original on 25 October 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  11. ^ "Atiqul Islam". csr-asia.com. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  12. ^ Rahaman, Arafat (9 September 2022). "Manarat University: Govt reconstitutes trustee board over 'militancy links'". The Daily Star. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
  13. ^ "Former DNCC mayor Atiqul arrested". The Daily Star. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  14. ^ "এবার ঢাকা উত্তর ও দক্ষিণসহ ১২ সিটি করপোরেশনের মেয়রকে অপসারণ". Prothom Alo (in Bengali). 19 August 2024. Archived from the original on 19 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Ex-DNCC mayor Atiqul arrested in Dhaka". New Age. 16 October 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Titas Upazila". Titas Upazila. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  17. ^ জামা ইস্ত্রি করতে পারিনি, পয়সা ছিল না: আতিকুল ইসলাম. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 28 February 2019.
  18. ^ লেফটেন্যান্ট জেনারেল মো. মইনুল ইসলাম নতুন পিএসও. Bangladesh Pratidin (in Bengali). 2 July 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
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