Md. Ayatullah

The deceased, Ayatullah, hailed from the village of Julusha in the Chhamardani Union of the Madhyanagar Upazila in Sunamganj. He was the youngest of four children born to the farmer Md. Sirajul Islam and Shubha Akhtar. Ayatullah was born on December 25, 2005, at his ancestral home. He was a student of the Markazul Iman Madrasa located in the South Bhannar of the Mouchak Kalabanda area in Kaliakair Upazila of Gazipur District. In addition to his studies, he also taught for some time at a Nurani Madrasa.
The youngest son of a poor family, Ayatullah joined a temporary job in an industry in Gazipur with his elder brother, Sohag Mia, in July this year, to bring prosperity to their household. They lived in a rented house in the Jamtala area of Kaliakair, where they worked as garment factory workers.
Incident Description
On August 5th, Monday, Ayatullah was shot in front of the Ansar VDP Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur. He had joined the victory procession after the fall of the authoritarian government with his elder brother, Sohag Mia. The procession, which reached near the Ansar Academy at around 5 PM, was met with indiscriminate gunfire. The students and people scattered, and the two brothers got separated. The last phone call between Sohag and Ayatullah was at around 5:30 PM. After that, the phone was unreachable, and Ayatullah could not be found anywhere.
How the Family Found Ayatullah’s Body
In search of his son, the father rushed from their village to Gazipur, and he was left helpless in the pursuit. He visited hospitals and clinics to search through the piles of bodies, hoping to find his son. However, he returned home empty-handed. On August 16, 11 days later, the family was able to trace Ayatullah’s body to the morgue of Dhaka's Sohrawardy Medical College Hospital through a news report on TV. The body was then collected on August 17 with the help of student movement coordinators.
Funeral
On August 17, 2024, at around 12:30 AM, the funeral prayers for Ayatullah were held on a bridge under construction over the Ubakhali River. His body was later buried at the family graveyard in Julusha village, Chamardani Union, Madhyanagar Upazila, Sunamganj, around 2:30 AM.
Demand for Justice
Ayatullah’s mother said, “Ayatullah was my youngest son. He was my heart and soul. I had many dreams for him. He was supposed to grow up, get a job, and take care of the family. But that dream has been shattered. He died as a martyr for joining the student movement. I demand justice for those who killed him.”
Ayatullah's father said, “Ayatullah was part of the anti-discrimination student movement. His dream of becoming a scholar was extinguished in the march for justice. I demand justice for those who killed my son. I want exemplary punishment for the murderers.”
Ayatullah's elder brother, Sohag Mia, stated, “My brother was martyred while fighting for justice. We can never bring him back. I demand the harshest punishment for those who killed my brother and all the martyrs of the movement. I also demand that the state officially recognize the martyrs of this movement.”
Family Background
Ayatullah’s paternal home is in Julusha village, Chamardani Union, Madhyanagar Upazila, Sunamganj. His grandfather, the late Abdul Rahim Kalarchan Fakir, was a mystic and an activist in the liberation war of 1971. He was also a wealthy personality known for his arbitration skills.
Local Community’s Tribute
The people of the region honor Martyr Ayatullah as the pride of Sunamganj District. As long as the rivers Surma, Kalni, and Kushiara flow, the memory of this great martyr will be cherished with deep respect and love. To immortalize his memory, the newly constructed 320-meter-long bridge over the Ubakhali River in Madhyanagar has been named after Ayatullah. On August 19th, a signboard with his name was placed on the bridge, officially dedicating it to his honor.
Support from the Local Administration
The local administration, citizens, scholars, and political leaders have expressed solidarity with Ayatullah's family. On August 21st, a financial assistance check of one lakh taka was handed over to Ayatullah’s father, Md. Sirajul Islam, by the Executive Officer of Madhyanagar Upazila, Atish Darshi Chakma, on behalf of the Madhyanagar Upazila Parishad. Sunamganj District Commissioner Mohammad Rashed Iqbal Chowdhury stated that since the martyr’s family is very poor, the district administration has already provided financial assistance and will continue to offer support.
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Name: Martyr Md. Ayatullah
Occupation: Garment Worker
Date of Birth & Age: December 25, 2005, 19 years
Date of Martyrdom: August 5, 2024, approximately 6:00 PM
Place of Martyrdom: Shot in front of the Ansar VDP Academy
Buried: Social Graveyard (Madhyanagar, Sunamganj)
Grave Location: 25°01'45.0"N 91°02'56.6"E or 22QX+GQ7 Madhyanagar
Permanent Address: Village – Julusha, Union – Chamardani, Upazila – Madhyanagar, District – Sunamganj
Father: Md. Sirajul Islam
Mother: Mrs. Shubha Akter
Siblings:
1. Sohag Mia, Relation: Brother, Age: 24, Occupation: Worker
2. Tania Akter, Relation: Sister, Age: 22, Occupation: Garment Worker
3. Suraiya Akter, Relation: Sister, Age: 20, Occupation: Garment Worker
Recommendations:
1. Establishing a business for the martyr's brother or father would be beneficial.
2. The martyr's family requires a proper dwelling.