Md. Zakir Hossain

Md. Zakir Hossain was born on June 6, 1988, in Char Durlabh Khan village of Kapasia Thana, Gazipur District. From childhood, he was self-confident, hardworking, and courageous. His father, Abdus Samad, was an honest farmer, and his mother, Momina Begum, was always trying to build her children into ideal human beings while managing the household. Zakir Hossain was very skilled at taking family responsibilities, and that sense of responsibility made him a successful businessman.
Zakir Hossain was the co-owner of Kazi VIP Garments in Gazipur. Starting from a small business, he improved through hard work at every stage of his life. He had a small family. Seven-year-old son Abdur Rahman and two-year-old little son Bayezid. He had a dream of living a happy life with his wife and children, but everything stopped before that dream could be fulfilled.
Context of the Movement
July 19, 2024, was a terrible day in Zakir's life. The intensity of the anti-discrimination student movement had shaken the entire country, and Uttara was scarred by reckless police shootings. He had gone to Uttara for business purposes, but his life came to an end by police bullets as he was returning after finishing his work. At 3:30 PM, indiscriminate police bullets fired from a helicopter hit his back. People nearby quickly took him to Dhaka Medical College, but he died under treatment on July 21 at 4:30 AM. The death of Shaheed Zakir Hossain is a tragedy for his family, as well as a life of uncertainty and hardship for his two young children. He was the sole breadwinner of the family. The bullet marks on his back are still a silent witness to his sacrifice. He has no assets other than a small house on his 5 percent land. Besides, there is a loan of about two lakh taka taken for business. Today, the educational life and future of his two sons are plunged into darkness. His wife, who once supported her husband and managed the household, is now facing a helpless and desperate situation. The sacrifice of Shaheed Md. Zakir Hossain not only reminds his family but the entire nation that thousands of brave people like him gave their lives for the struggle for freedom, democracy, and justice. His death creates deep sorrow in our minds, but his sacrifice strengthens our morale.
Description of the Incident
Friday, July 19, 2024, was the last day of Shaheed Md. Zakir Hossain's life. The anti-discrimination student movement had spread like wildfire across the country. The freedom-loving people were taking to the streets against the autocratic government of Sheikh Hasina. However, the situation was gradually becoming terrible, a curfew was in place, and the internet and all social media were shut down. No one could know exactly what was happening where. On the day of the incident, Zakir Hossain went to Konabari to buy some goods for his factory. Later in the afternoon, he left for Uttara in the capital to meet a customer.
On the way, he was waiting for a bus at Abdullahpur. At that time, there was a massive police attack on students and the public in various places in the capital surrounding the quota reform movement. His mother, Momina Begum, called her son Zakir Hossain (38), thinking that the situation in the country was not good. She forbade her son to go outside. At one point in the conversation, the mother suddenly heard a loud noise. After that, she could not hear any more words from her son. At that moment, a chase and counter-chase between the police and the students and the public started due to the aggressive attack by the police in that area. The law enforcement agencies of the autocratic government fired bullets like rain to remove the protesters. Two bullets hit Zakir Hossain in the back and abdomen, and he fell to the ground before he could understand anything. When he was taken to the hospital from there, he died after 14 hours. Passersby quickly rescued him and took him to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. But he lost this battle of life and death. Zakir breathed his last on July 21, 2024, at 4:30 AM while undergoing treatment.
Eyewitnesses said that ordinary people were indiscriminately shot from helicopters. And Shaheed Zakir lost his life in that shooting. Evidence of his being shot in the back was found. When Zakir's family received the news of his death, they were devastated. It was unthinkable for them that the sole breadwinner of the family, who had gone out for a simple task, would never return. After being shot on July 19, his family could not find any information, nor was there any opportunity for help because the mobile network was slow across the country; social media was also closed. Zakir's funeral prayer was held in Char Durlabh Khan village of Kapasia, Gazipur, and he was laid to rest in the local graveyard. The tragic death of Shaheed Zakir Hossain not only creates grief in people's minds but also creates immense hatred against the fascist Hasina government and creates a strong anti-autocratic morale.
Family Statement About the Shaheed
Zakir's mother, Momina Begum, said, "My mind was very bad from that morning. I was getting news of various disturbances all around. Some people were saying that there was a clash between students and police in Gazipur. So I called Zakir. I told him, son, be careful. But he was shot while talking to me. Within moments, there was no response from the other side of the phone. As a mother, I cannot stay well when I remember that moment."
Zakir's wife, Jannatun Naim, said, "Zakir left home after eating in the morning on July 19, saying he would go to work in the office. He said he would be in the office all day. Then there was no contact with him all day. Around 5 pm, some people from his office came to our house. It was from them that we first learned that Zakir had been shot. Later, we rushed to the hospital in Uttara, but he could not be saved."
Zakir's father, Abdus Samad, said, "Zakir started working as a worker in a garment factory in 2003. Proving his hard work and talent, a few years ago he was promoted to Assistant Production Manager in a garment factory in Gazipur. Six months ago, he built a small garment factory himself. Now everything is over."
The Shaheed's sister, Lucky Akhtar (25), said, "As a sister, I say, my brother was a very good person. He was unjustly killed by the law enforcement agencies of the government. He was steadfast in his religion. Family members want him to be given state honors as a Shaheed."
Description of the Family's Economic Situation
Although Shaheed Md. Zakir Hossain's family was lower middle class, there were immense dreams surrounding him. He was the sole breadwinner of the family, who supported the family through a small business. But his untimely death has closed that source of income. The Shaheed's business has a loan of about 2 lakh taka, which has become a huge burden on his family. The family lives in a small house on only 5 percent land, where there is no extra land. Economically surviving is a daily struggle for them today. Shaheed Zakir's family is now in deep crisis due to his death; they have no way out without financial assistance.
Proposals Shaheed Md. Zakir Hossain's family is now living in financial crisis and uncertainty. The sudden departure of a visionary businessman and dedicated father has placed an unbearable burden on his family. His wife, two young children, and family members are now struggling to survive. In this situation, three important proposals are put forward to take responsibility for the Shaheed's family:
• Proposal 1: To ensure that the future of Zakir's two innocent children is not lost in the darkness of uncertainty. For this, it is very necessary to arrange for their education and take responsibility for their maintenance.
• Proposal 2: The burden of about 2 lakh taka loan on the Shaheed's family has become a major obstacle in their life struggle today. Providing assistance in repaying that loan will allow them to move forward with new hope for life.
Proposal 3: Shaheed Zakir's wife is currently in a helpless situation. If a suitable job can be arranged for her, she will be able to earn a living with her children with dignity. If these proposals are implemented, Shaheed Md. Zakir Hossain's family will find some happiness in their life struggle; which will be a true tribute to his sacrifice.
Shaheed's Profile at a Glance
Name : Md. Zakir Hossain
Date of Birth : June 6, 1988
Place of Birth : Gazipur
Occupation/Designation : Businessman, Co-owner of Kazi VIP Garments
Native District : Gazipur
Address Information
Permanent Address : Village: Char Durlabh Khan, Union: Barishab,
: Thana: Kapasia, District: Gazipur
Current Address : Village: Char Durlabh Khan, Thana: Kapasia, District: Gazipur
Family Information
Father's Name : Abdus Samad (70), Occupation: Farmer
Mother's Name : Momina Begum (60), Occupation: Housewife
Monthly Income : 8000 Taka
Source of Income : Agriculture
Shaheed's Children : 1. Abdur Rahman (7 years), 2. Bayezid (2 years)
Place of Incident : BNS Center, Uttara
Attacker : RAB
Injury : Shot from a helicopter
Time of Injury : July 19, 2024, 3:30 PM
Date and Time of Death : July 21, 2024, 4:00 AM, Dhaka Medical College
Current Location of
Shaheed's Grave : Char Durlabh Khan, Kapasia, Gazipur