Md. Faisal Ahmed Shanto

Shaheed Md. Faisal Ahmed Shanto was born in his home district of Barishal in 2005. His father, Mr. Md. Zakir Hossain, is a businessman by profession, and his mother, Mst. Kuhinur Akhter, is a school teacher. Shaheed Md. Faisal Ahmed Shanto was being martyred in 2024 during the July Biplob movement after being attacked by the Chhatra League.
Personal and Organizational Life
Shaheed Md. Faisal Ahmed's nickname was Shanto. Everyone called him by the name Shanto. Shanto was a student of Omar Gani MES College in Chittagong.
Shaheed Md.Faisal Ahmed (Shanto) dreamed that one day the flag of Kalema would fly freely in the sky of this country. He always sought help from Allah to participate in the movement to establish Deen. Allah accepted his request. After receiving an invitation from his student brothers, he joined the liberation caravan of millions of youths, Bangladesh Islami Chhatrashibir.
He was a fearless youth against injustice. He always stood up against discrimination. The souls of those who were being martyred in the July Biplob movement always tormented him. He could not sleep peacefully. The desire for Martyrdom did not allow him to sit at home. How would he repay the debt to his friends if this movement failed? How could he sit at home when his friends were dying unjustly? That is why this energetic Faisal Ahmed (Shanto), who had crossed adolescence and entered youth. He rushed to the battlefield. He dedicated his life to God.
 
Family Condition
Shaheed Md. Faisal Ahmed (Shanto) was the only child of his parents. Their family consisted of 4 members. The family's financial condition was average. His father owns a business. He sells used ship furniture. His mother teaches at a kindergarten school in Chittagong. Their life was average. They had many dreams about their son. His younger sister, Sumaiya Jannat Brishti, studies in the 8th grade.
Incident of Martyrdom
Ignoring his family's objections, Shaheed Md. Faisal Ahmed (Shanto) went to the movement. His father learned about it. Despite much persuasion, he was adamant. In the face of his immense faith in Allah and the desire for Martyrdom, all the love of the world seemed insignificant to him. He repeatedly told his mother, "Mom, I'm just going to give out some biscuits and water." His mother refused. She tried to confine him to the house by force. His father repeatedly called him and forbade him from going to the movement. Nothing could stop him. Meanwhile, anti-discrimination student movements and clashes had been going on for several days in the Muradpur area of Chittagong.
That day, Tuesday, July 16, the gunfire of the police and the Chhatra League helmet forces increased. The police and the Chhatra League helmet forces began firing indiscriminately in all directions. Members of the BGB, RAB, and Ansar forces also joined them. By afternoon, it became even more intense. Shaheed Md. Faisal joined the movement with his friends. Suddenly, several bullets from the killers pierced Shaheed Md. Faisal's body. One bullet pierced his left chest and two bullets pierced his stomach. His intestines came out. The black asphalt road turned red with blood. Instantly, Shanto's lifeless body collapsed to the ground, writhing.
Shaheed Md. Faisal's friends, who were nearby, were terrified to see such a sight. They picked up his blood-soaked body. There were no vehicles around to take him to the hospital. Finally, several people together carried the injured Shanto to the hospital. The doctor on duty declared him dead. However, there was a great deal of trouble in bringing the body home. They came under the wrath of the police. The police said, "We will not give the body of the one who has taken to the streets against us." After much pleading and resorting to lies, his family and friends were finally able to bring Shaheed Md. Faisal's body home. Even there, the local Awami League and Chhatra League created a lot of obstacles. How will this tragic chapter be forgotten by the family?
Mother's Heartbreaking Expression about Shaheed Md. Faisal Ahmed
That day was July 16th. At three in the afternoon, I was returning home from school. I was almost near the house, my younger sister Sumaiya was also with me. From behind, someone called out "Sumaiya, Sumaiya." Looking back, I saw Shanto calling. He took the key out of the bag and gave it to me. I said, "I have the key." Shanto said, "Even then, take it." I asked, "Where are you going?" He said, "Mom! I'm just going to the 2 number gate." I said again, "What about your tuition?" He said, "Mom, I'll be back before Maghrib. If you call him, he will come home." I returned home and ate lunch. I finished teaching the tuition students. Evening was approaching, and with it, the darkness that was approaching my life, I did not know that. I told my daughter, "Your brother will be here, prepare snacks." And "Call your brother."
My daughter called and said, "Mom, his mobile is switched off." I did not understand that my communication with my Shanto had been cut off forever. After a while, two of his friends came to me and said, "Aunty, you have to get ready, we have to go with you." I asked, "Where will we go? Why will we go?"
Noman said, "Aunty, Shanto Bhai has a little problem!" "What's the problem! What's the problem with Shanto Moni?" I thought maybe the police had caught him. "No, Aunty, Shanto Bhai has been shot." Even then, I did not realize that such a great calamity had befallen me. Then I went out and on the way to the medical in a CNG, I called his father and his teacher and said, "Shanto has been shot, sir, where are you? Come to the medical quickly." Reaching the medical, I heard the OC calling, "Where is Faisal's mother?" I ran and said, "Here I am, Faisal's mother."
"Let me go to my Shanto. My Shanto will be alright if I go near him." I did not know that he had become permanently ill long ago. Later, a man came and said, "Please calm down. A man has died here, so there will be a little delay in getting to Shanto." Then I realized that my "Manik" was probably no more. "Who are you? What? Are you saying?" It felt like the whole world had turned upside down. Am I dreaming or is it reality? This shouldn't be happening. Then I fainted. When I regained consciousness, the OC came and said that I had to be taken to the police station. At the police station, they took my signature on many papers. Then it occurred to me, will my Shanto be post-mortem? I told those who were there, "Take me to the senior police officer." They took me to him. I said to him, "Sir, please do not let my son be post-mortem." My pleas were not heeded at all.
The boy who would scream if he saw blood coming out of even a small cut on his hand, they took that boy for post-mortem without showing us. No one listened to me. The administration was so cruel and heartless then. They brutally shot my son Shanto, and took away his bloody, torn body, the empty shell. The boy whom I nurtured like a butterfly, if I held him loosely, the butterfly would fly away, if I held him tightly, my butterfly's wings would be torn, that butterfly of mine flew away. I could not keep him. Thinking that my son would be in pain, I used to wash his clothes. After eating rice, he would not drink the glass of water until I put it in his hand. He was very careful about religion. He would read Hadith and Quran on his mobile all the time. Many times when I woke up at night, I would see him offering Tahajjud prayers. If someone gave him any food, he would first ask, "Who gave this food?" If he saw that the person did not pray regularly, Shanto would not eat the food given by him.
He would protest against injustice, whoever it was. He was as calm as a candle. I would forget all the sorrows by looking at his face. He never wanted to go anywhere alone. He said he didn't feel good unless he took his mother with him. How many days have passed, how is my Shanto alone, leaving his mother? I also cannot live alone without him. When will I meet my Manik again? How many hopes I had for Shanto Moni. He would complete his studies and get a good job. I would find peace. Just as Shanto Moni was my pride, so was I his pride. He would just tell everyone, "My mother fulfills the responsibilities of my father." He would praise his mother to everyone, but now no one praises me. My signature is on everything he has. I always said, "I only want your good result certificate." The big certificate (death certificate) that my son gave to his parents, how will I bear the weight of this certificate? Did I ask for this certificate?
My signature is on this certificate too. I am fulfilling the responsibilities of a father. I always thought that I would send my Shanto Moni abroad for better education. He would bring a big award from abroad. I would be the best mother. My Shanto Moni brought such a big award, on that memorable day, 16/07/2024. He made me the 'best mother.' Now all the people of the country recognize me as "Martyr Faisal Ahmed Shanto's" mother. I am that "best mother." I am a proud mother. My Shanto Moni was a brave son. He always wore Sunnati clothes. There was decency in his movements, speech, and everything. He wanted to live as pure as a flower. He wrote in his profile introduction: "I want to be a flower like a flower, a flower like a flower, the flower that received the touch of the Prophet, whose fragrance is unparalleled." Fragranced by that unparalleled scent, he went to the land of no return. Be well, son, in the afterlife. May Allah grant you the highest place in Paradise. May Allah accept you as a Martyr. May Allah illuminate your grave with His light. May He widen your grave. May I meet you in Paradise, son. Intercede for me on the Day of Judgment. I pray for you in all my supplications. May Allah grant you the status of a Martyr. Amen.
Shaheed Md.Faisal Ahmed (Shanto) at a glance
Name: Shaheed Md.Faisal Ahmed (Shanto)
Occupation: Student
Date of Birth: 23-05-2005
Age: 19 years
Father: Md. Zakir Hossain
Mother: Mst. Kohinur Akhter
Date and place of injury: 16-07-2024, Chittagong, Muradpur, 4:30 PM
Date and place of Martyrdom: 16-07-2024, Chittagong, Muradpur, 4:30 PM
Permanent address: Village: Mohishadi, Union: Rahmatpur, Thana: Airport Thana, District:
Barishal