Md. Riad Sheikh

A courageous and intelligent young guy, Shaheed Md. Riad Sheikh was born in Chachra, Jessore, on September 8, 2006. Even though his forefathers lived in Gournadi, Barishal, they now call Jessore their permanent home. He was an enthusiastic and naive learner. Shaheed Riad was a Jessore Government College HSC candidate. His aspirations of furthering his education and bettering his life were abruptly dashed. His dream was to work for the government. He would assure his mother that there would be no more poverty and that everything would be alright.
Riad's family consisted of five members. His father, Md. Kabil Sheikh, is currently unemployed, and his mother, Shahinur Begum, is a housewife who takes care of the household. Riad's elder brother, Hridoy Sheikh, is a driver by profession.
Riad was always ready to serve humanity and had donated blood many times. This young man, who stood by people in their joys and sorrows, had his life tragically cut short. On August 5, 2024, while trying to extinguish a fire at Hotel Jabir, glass fell on his head, causing severe bleeding. He was being martyred while sacrificing his own life to save others. His self-sacrifice was a courageous and unique example, which left a permanent mark on the hearts of his family and locals. Shaheed Riad was buried in the Chachra, Dalmil, Rajbari Muslim Graveyard in his village. Shaheed Riad's was a life whose ending was heartbreaking, yet his story of courage and self-sacrifice will live on forever.
His last words to his family were, "I have been marching for so long with difficulty - won't I go to the victory procession?"
Economic Condition
His father once worked as a security guard at Shopnochowa Future Park. Three days after Riad was being martyred, the park owner informed them that the park would be closing and Riad's father would lose his job. Since then, he has been unemployed. Riad's family is currently living in financial hardship.
The only source of income for the family now is his elder brother, Hridoy Sheikh, who tries to meet the family's needs by driving a private car and earning only 10,000 Taka. Their house is dilapidated; Riad had a dream of building a better house. But his father has not been able to fulfill that wish.
Furthermore, due to his opposition to the Awami League's ideology, Riad's father was unable to stay at home for 3-4 years during Sheikh Hasina's government due to false charges of sabotage, which further exacerbated their economic crisis. For Riad, family was everything. His love, sense of responsibility, and commitment to hard work are exemplary.
Description of the Incident of Martyrdom
Shaheed Md. Riad Sheikh was a brave and idealistic student who played an active role in the anti-discrimination student movement from the very beginning. Without any fear of the ruler's wrath, Riad took risks every day and participated in the movement. Due to his courage and leadership, he became an invaluable inspiration to his classmates.
On August 5, 2024, at 3:18 PM, Riad left home with his two friends, Chayan and Shanto. His family had requested him not to go to the movement. They said, "You have been protesting for so long, there is no need to go today, there could be danger." But Riad ignored his family's request and joined the students' victory procession at Chachra Mor with his friends. That day's procession was a symbol of the government's downfall, and the general public was bursting with joy.
When the procession reached near Hotel Jabir International, they learned that the hotel was on fire. Riad and his friends rushed there and rescued about 17-18 people along with the rescue workers. Riad's bravery is a shining example of his humanity. But unfortunately, while going upstairs, a glass pane broke and hit his head, causing profuse bleeding. Although he was quickly taken to the hospital, the doctor declared him dead. This news cast a shadow of grief over the entire area. The family members found Riad's lifeless body in the morgue, and after the funeral, he was buried in the local Dalmil Muslim Graveyard, Chachra Rajbari Graveyard in Jessore Sadar Thana.
Riad's dream was to get a government job and take charge of solving his family's financial hardship. He also dreamed of building a good house for his family. Riad, who lived in a dilapidated house in Chachra Raypara area of Jessore Sadar Upazila, often talked to his father about a good house. Riad, an HSC candidate at Jessore Government College, joined the anti-discrimination student movement, and this movement later turned into a movement for the fall of the government.
Riad's father, Md. Kabil Sheikh, said, "Riad was honest and idealistic. He led the anti-discrimination student movement from the very beginning." Once, during an attack on the police, Riad restrained his fellow fighters, for which the police themselves honored him with flowers.
Immediately after Riad's Martyrdom, his family faced further danger. Riad's father lost his job as a security guard and is currently unemployed. The family now depends on the income of Riad's elder brother, Hridoy, who earns a limited income by driving a private car.
Riad had hoped that if discrimination was eliminated, he might get a government job. That dream of establishing a discrimination-free Bangladesh, however, remains unfulfilled, as that dream-filled Riad is no longer on that path. The HSC exam was ongoing. The remaining exams were scheduled for the 11th, but he left on the 5th itself.
Shaheed Md. Riad Sheikh's life story reminds us of the importance of walking the path of justice. His sacrifice teaches us that humanity can be won through struggle. Riad was a symbol of a nation's dream and a guide to a better future. His memory will forever inspire us and lead the new generation forward.
Feelings of Close Relatives and Friends about the Shaheed
Riad's father, Kabil Sheikh, said, "His son was honest, idealistic, and philanthropic. He actively participated in the student movement and developed a friendly relationship with the police. Riad was always ready to serve humanity and had donated blood many times."
The news of Riad's death was a deep blow to his friends and family. Riad was growing up to be a valuable person not only for his family but also for society.
His elder brother says, "We were a wealthy family. What can I say as a brother - the people of the area know him well. My brother had earned the love of all people; he could make even strangers his own in a moment. My brother used to mingle with people in a short time. Allah has done what He deemed best. My heart is heavy with the loss of my brother."
Shaheed Hridoy's friends say that Riad was brave and kind; he always came forward to help people in any danger or crisis.
Shaheed's Profile at a Glance
Name : Md. Riad Sheikh
Date of Birth : September 8, 2006
Place of Birth : Jessore
Occupation : Student
Class : HSC
Educational Institution : Jessore Government College
District : Jessore
Current Address : Holding 112, Chachra, Raypara area, Ward No. 6, Thana: Sadar,
: District: Jessore
Permanent Address : Village - Chachra, Raypara, Jessore
Municipality : Ward No. 6, Thana: Sadar, District: Jessore.
: (However, ancestors' homestead is in Gournadi, Barishal)
Father's Name : Md. Kabil Sheikh
Father's Occupation : Unemployed (Age: 56)
Mother's Name : Shahinur Begum
Mother's Occupation : Housewife (Age: 39)
Monthly Income : 10,000/-
Source of Income : Father and Elder Brother (Driver)
Number of Family Members : 5
Brother : Hridoy Sheikh (Age 27, Occupation: Driver)
Death : 05/08/2024, 6:30 PM
Cause of Death : Head injury and bleeding from falling glass while extinguishing a fire
Shaheed's Grave Location : Dalmil Muslim Graveyard, Chachra, Sadar Thana, Jessore
Grave's Location GPS : https://maps.app.goo.gl/rkgEU42unsi5dEsR8
Suggestions
After Riad's Martyrdom, his family is in deep economic crisis. The family's source of income is now only Riad's elder brother Hridoy Sheikh, who earns a small amount by driving a private car. The loss of Riad's father's job has made the family's life even more difficult.