Miraj Hossain

Miraj was-
"The only support for my family"
Madhubag is a bustling neighborhood of Jatrabari, a hectic place of the capital city. To establish their future, a lot of people from the countryside come to this city. In a similar vein, Mr. Md. Abdur Rob and his spouse, Momtaz Begum, arrived in Madhubag, which is close to Paradogair of Demra, in order to build their future. After moving to the new city, Mr. Md. Abdur Rob set up shop in a rented Laguna. He spent the entire day working hard and making plans for his future with his wife.
Their home was illuminated when Shaheed Miraj Hossain was born on March 11, 1995. Their son was tenderly reared by both parents. Miraj went on to have two additional siblings. Their names are, respectively, Poppy and Abdullah. As their kids grew older, Momtaz Begum found optimism. However, that hope abruptly gave way to despair. It was determined that Miraj's father had a lung infection. He stopped moving and working because of his condition. She even sold her ancestral estate at one time in order to provide for her husband.
Rubina Akhter Poppy, the only sister of Miraj. Father Abdur Rob had a lot of ambitions and arranged marriage for his daughter. Despite being lower middle class financially, he made sure his daughter's wedding was lavish. In order to ensure the girl's well-being in her in-laws' home, Abdur Rob sent gifts to their home with both hands. For some years, everything was going smoothly. A baby was born as well. Then that relationship abruptly ended. Abdur Rob's family had no option but to welcome the lone, adored daughter back. The agony of separation marked the start of the dreadful chapter. Abdur Rob had to bear his daughter's terrible fate in silence.
`Circumstances teach people reality’
When responsibility is on your own shoulders
In one hand, Abdur Rob's illness, and on the other hand, the return of his daughter Poppy, separated from her husband's house, brought poverty to the whole family. The whole family was in severe hunger. Miraj Hossain's education was stopped as they could not manage their meals properly. At one point, he was forced to take on all the responsibilities of the family at the age of just 15. After visiting various shops, he finally started working as an employee at 'Alo Door House Store' for a low salary. Sometimes overtime, sometimes holidays. This indomitable soldier seems not to know how to stop. Gradually he gained the trust of the moneylender. He was promoted from employee to cashier. He struggled to pay the rent, father's medical expenses, siblings' education, and all the expenses of the family. Even then, Miraj did not stop.
Trust in brother
Shaheed Miraj's younger brother Abdullah (26). Due to financial hardship, he could not continue his studies after the tenth grade. He is currently a national chess player of the country. Although he is in trouble by taking chess as a profession, the story behind it seems to beat reality. Shaheed Miraj Hossain is the one who contributed the most to Abdullah's reaching this stage, from the fees of private clubs, registration, etc. In the difficult days of family hardship, he was the only support. For which, even without eating himself, he paid his brother's club fee.
"I can't eat if you don't sit beside me"; Affection with mother
After working hard all day, Miraj would first look for his mother. So Momtaz Begum had to stay awake for her son even late at night. Even if she fell asleep, there was no escape. He would find her by repeatedly calling her mother. Sometimes Momtaz Begum would tell her son in an irritated tone, "I can't always sit beside me, there are other works too." In reply, Miraj would say, "I can't eat if you don't sit beside me."
Suddenly movement in the country
July 2024. Suddenly a wave of mass movement became intense in the country. As if the students and the public burst into protest. The common people condemned the Hasina government for not being able to accept the discriminatory quota in government jobs. In this light, the anti-discrimination students gave various programs. They took to the streets one by one to implement the program. The then autocratic killer Sheikh Hasina and her cohorts became busy to suppress the movement. With their instigation, hundreds of fresh lives were shot and killed by Awami terrorists and the police force.
'Now is the best time to go to the procession for those who are youth'
People's victory
The movement gradually accelerated. It seems as if the month of July does not end. On August 4, from the people's awakening in 64 districts of the country, a roar was heard everywhere- "We have just one point demand, resignation of Killer Hasina". At one point, the anti-discrimination students and the public announced a long march program called March to Dhaka on August 5. People from around the country took part in the program expressing their solidarity.
On one side, Abdur Rob’s illness, and on the other, the return of his divorced daughter Popy to her father’s house brought immense hardship to the family. Poverty took over their lives, and hunger became a daily reality. Due to financial constraints, Miraz Hossain had to discontinue his studies.
At just 15 years old, he was forced to take responsibility for his entire family. After searching for work at various stores, he finally secured a low-paying job at ‘Alo Door House Store’ as an employee. Working overtime, even on holidays, he never stopped striving. Over time, he earned his employer’s trust and was promoted from an employee to a cashier.
Despite managing the rent, his father’s medical expenses, his sibling’s education, and the household costs, Miraz struggled to keep everything running. Yet, he never gave up. (It should be presented inside a box)
"But the cruelty of fate—The indomitable Miraz lost to the oppression of the tyrannical government."
Hundreds of thousands of people from across the country participated in the long march. The movement intensified, forcing the autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina to resign. Overwhelmed by public outrage, she was eventually forced to flee to India for refuge.
"She ran away! Sheikh Hasina ran away!"
As news of Hasina’s resignation spread, victory rallies erupted nationwide. From children to the elderly, everyone chanted the same slogan—
"She ran away! Sheikh Hasina ran away!"
"Brother, please say something…"
The Victory Rally and Martyrdom
After Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled, Miraz Hossain joined the victory rally. While marching in front of Jatrabari Police Station, the brutal police force opened fire on the protesters. Miraz was shot and fell down instantly.
A private hospital worker rushed to the scene and tried to save him. Miraz was then taken to Mitford Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The news of his martyrdom spread instantly. His body was brought home, where his parents and relatives became devastated. His mother, Mumtaz Begum, gave him one last kiss.
Recognized for his bravery and sacrifice, the people honored Shaheed Miraz Hossain with the title of a National Hero.
His younger brother sat by his side, calling out repeatedly—
"Brother, please say something!"
His sister was left broken, devastated by the loss of her beloved brother.
His father, Abdur Rob, with tear-filled eyes, carried his son’s body on his shoulders to bid him farewell. Hundreds of people attended the funeral prayer in front of Dogair Mosque. Later, Abdur Rob himself buried his martyred son in Dogair graveyard.
"How will I survive now?"
Reactions of the Family
Shaheed Miraz Hossain was the eldest son among three siblings. He had taken charge of the family from a young age, making him deeply loved by all. Losing him left his mother, brother, and sister in unimaginable grief.
His mother, overwhelmed with sorrow, said:
"He was the only support of our household. How will I survive now? How will my family go on? What was my son's fault? Who killed him like this?"
His sister, crying in pain, said:
"I loved Miraz with all my heart. Now, whom will I call my brother? He gave his life for the country—that is my only comfort. May Allah grant him the honor of martyrdom."
His younger brother, mourning his loss, said:
"I slept next to my brother since childhood. We shared the same bed. Many nights, we stayed up talking. Now, when I lie down, I remember him. He cared for me like a father—he loved me, guided me, and sometimes even scolded me. Our bond was like that of best friends."
Current Situation of the Martyr’s Family
Shaheed Miraz Hossain’s father is still suffering from a lung infection, while his mother has a serious neurological illness. Every month, the family needs medicines costing 2,000 BDT, which has become a major concern for them after losing their son.
Miraz’s younger brother, who chose chess as a profession, is now facing a difficult situation. The Chess Federation has stopped providing monthly or one-time allowances to players, except for match fees. Since there is no earning member in the family at the moment, he is considering retiring from the federation. He is desperately trying to find any kind of work to support the family.
Previously, Shaheed Miraz Hossain used to cover the house rent and all other expenses. Now, his family cannot even afford to buy essential medicines.
His mother no longer waits for her son at night. She no longer sits beside him. Now, she spends her days and nights raising her hands in prayer to the Almighty. She constantly pleads to her Lord:
"O Allah! Grant my son the highest place in Jannah. Count him among the honored martyrs." (Ameen)"
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name : Miraj Hossain
Profession : Shop manager, Alo Door House
Date of birth and age : March 11, 1995, 29 years old
Date of injury : 05-08-2024, Afternoon: 12:40 PM
Date of martyrdom : 05-08-2024, Afternoon: 2:45 PM
Location : Near Jatrabari Police Station
Place of burial : Dogair graveyard, Madhubag, Jatrabari
Permanent address : Village: Madhubag, Paradogair, Thana: Jatrabari, District: Dhaka
Father : Md. Abdur Rob, Retired truck driver (51)
Mother : Momtaz Begum, Housewife (46)
Condition of house and property : No ancestral arable/residential land
Details of siblings : Abdullah, Age: 26, Profession: Chess player, Relationship: Brother
Mst. Rubina Akter Poppy, Age: 36, (Divorced) Relationship: Sister