Md. Ismail Molla

A Hotel Entrepreneur, A Father,
A Story of a Courageous Martyr
Martyr Profile
His name was Md. Ismail Molla — a simple man who lived a quiet life. A small business owner, the head of his family, and an optimistic Bangladeshi. Yet on a cruel afternoon in August 2024, he became part of history as a martyr.
Born on May 2, 1957, in Maijhail village of Daftiar Union under Nagarpur police station, Tangail district, Ismail was the beloved eldest son of the late Jayen Molla and the late Jahiran Begum. His childhood was spent in rural poverty, yet with immense self-respect and dignity.
Career and Livelihood
Driven by the need to earn a living, he left his village and settled near the capital in Savar’s Nabinnagar area. There, in Palashbari neighborhood, he started a small food hotel. His hotel was a place of trust for the working-class people. Transparency and honesty in business were his pride. His wife, Mosa Sajeda, was a devoted homemaker. Among their four children, two daughters were married, the eldest son Sajib drove private cars, and the younger son Sumon supported the family by driving an auto-rickshaw.
Economic Situation
Ismail Molla’s ancestral home had only 9% land with a dilapidated tin shed on it. Currently, the family of five lived in a rented house in Pallibiddut area, Nabinnagar. Paying rent, household expenses, and managing the irregular incomes of his sons kept their life in constant struggle. Ismail was the family’s driving force; his death meant not just the loss of a man but the fall of a family’s dreams.
Participation in the Movement
July-August 2024 was a fiery period. Across the country, anti-fascist protests erupted demanding Hasina’s resignation. Although not directly involved in politics, Ismail protested the ongoing injustice in his own way. His hotel near Bypail Chowrasta was a reliable place for students. He sympathized with the movement wholeheartedly.
How He Became a Martyr
On August 5, 2024, at around 11 AM, Bypail Chowrasta was tense with protests, slogans, and crowds. Suddenly, state terrorism began. Police forces, along with activists from Chhatra League and Jubo League, attacked innocent people. Violence, vandalism, and arson broke out. Ismail was inside his hotel, fearful of what might happen amid the chaos. Terrorists entered his hotel, vandalized it, and set it on fire. His feet were burned in the blaze.
His sons tried to take him to a hospital, but the roads from Bypail to Savar were battlefields—gunshots echoed, and the army blocked civilians’ movement. Bloodied and struggling, he was finally taken to Gonoshasthaya Hospital at 3 PM, but by then it was too late. Doctors declared Md. Ismail Molla dead.
Family’s Sentiments
His wife, Mosa Sajeda, tearfully said,
“He never harmed anyone. He worked hard all his life to run the family. What was his crime? What will happen to my children now?”
His son Sajib said,
“When we were taking father to the hospital, gunshots from the police and intimidation from the army stopped us. If we had managed to get him sooner... I will regret it for life.”
Economic Proposals
The family is now directionless.
• Proposal 1: Purchase an auto-rickshaw for the youngest son, Sumon, to ensure his livelihood.
• Proposal 2: Provide the martyr’s family with a monthly support of 10,000 BDT.
• Proposal 3: Build a tin-shed house at their ancestral village so they have at least a permanent place to live.
Final Words
Md. Ismail Molla was more than a businessman—he was the courage, reliance, and silent protest of a family. Though state cruelty took his life, history will not forget him. His death reminds us that in this country, protesting injustice is a crime, and for that crime, many become martyrs.
At a Glance – Martyr Information
Item Details
Name Md. Ismail Molla
Date of Birth May 2, 1957
Place of Birth Maijhail, Daftiar, Nagarpur, Tangail
Occupation Hotel Businessman
Wife Mosa Sajeda
Children 4 (2 sons, 2 daughters)
Date of Martyrdom August 5, 2024
Attackers Police, Chhatra League & Jubo League
Cause of Death Burn injuries, died due to lack of treatment
Burial Place Palashbari, Bypail, Nabinnagar, Dhaka