Md. Rafiqul Islam

Md. Rafiqul Islam was born on 24-12-1973 in the village of Satkachima, Nazirpur Thana, Pirojpur District, to parents, the late Abdul Jabbar Sikdar and Hafiza Begum. He was the father of three sons and one daughter. His father, Abdul Jabbar, was a day laborer and tailor. This tailor family consisted of four members. Shaheed Rafiqul Islam grew up in this day laborer family. He was the first child of the family. He completed his Masters from the renowned Dhaka College.
Rafiqul Islam was humble from childhood. He was a benevolent person. He had a very polite nature. He was also a talented student. Besides studying, he established himself as a skilled computer trainer.
This dreamy Rafiqul Islam came to Dhaka 30 years ago. He used to live in a rented two-room flat at 89/12, Momtaz Villa in the Gopibag area under Wari police station. Rafiqul Islam's family consists of two members. His wife is a housewife and his son Raihan Islam is a student studying in Alim 2nd year at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa. Among the two children of Shaheed's father Abdul Jabbar, the second child chose his father's profession, i.e., tailoring. The third child chose pesticide business. And the only daughter is married.
How Shaheed Rafiq Responded to Allah's Call
On October 4, 2018, the government issued a circular canceling the quota system in the first- and second-class government jobs. Challenging the validity of the said circular, 7 children of freedom fighters filed a writ petition in the High Court on December 6, 2021. On June 5, 2024, the High Court bench of Justice KM Kamrul Quader and Justice Khizir Hayat gave a verdict canceling this circular. On June 6, 24, Dhaka University students protested against the High Court's verdict. Later, on June 9, when an application was made to the Chamber Court seeking a stay on the High Court's verdict, Chamber Justice M. Enayet Ullah sent the High Court's verdict to the regular bench of the Appellate Division for hearing, upholding the High Court's verdict.
On that day, Dhaka University students again held a protest rally against the restoration of the quota system. On July 1, an organization called the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement was born and student rallies and protests were held in various universities demanding the restoration of the circular canceling the quota. On July 4, the Appellate Division ordered "not today" without hearing the High Court's verdict declaring the decision to cancel the freedom fighter quota system in the first- and second-class government jobs as illegal. The next day, the protesters called for boycotting class examinations in all universities and colleges, observing student strikes, and a nationwide Bangla blockade.
On July 13, a program was announced to submit a memorandum to the President demanding rational reforms of quotas in all grades, and the next day, a 24-hour ultimatum was set demanding rational reforms in all grades of government jobs by convening an emergency session of the National Parliament. On the 15th, when they stood in front of the Raju sculpture of Dhaka University demanding a protest program, Chhatra League and the accomplices of the ruling fascist party indiscriminately attacked the quota movement activists. Many students who were present in the movement were injured and admitted to Dhaka Medical College and PG Hospital. Chhatra League and Awami League affiliates also attacked the injured again in the hospital.
On July 16, there were widespread protests and clashes throughout the day. At that moment, the government announced the closure of Dhaka University and surrounding colleges and schools. The university authorities ordered to vacate the halls. BGB was deployed in six districts. 6 people were killed across the country. Abu Sayeed, an unarmed student of Begum Rokeya University, was killed. During the Gayebana Janazah (Offering the funeral prayer in absentia) in the university in memory of the previous day's martyrs, the police attacked the students. The next day, an all-out blockade program was announced across the country and BGB was deployed across the country. Internet services were shut down simultaneously. On July 19, students announced a complete shutdown. On that day, there were widespread clashes, attacks, vandalism, gunfire, arson, and loss of life in the capital. Gopibag was an important point of this movement.
Even in this adverse situation, Shaheed Rafiqul Islam, being a regular devotee and a pious person, inspired by his faith, went to the Elahi Mosque in Gopibag area to offer Isha prayers as usual. But what a cruel twist of fate! Who knew this would be the last prayer of his life. After leaving the mosque, the police members picked up Shaheed Rafiqul Islam. The cannibals were not satisfied with just kidnapping him. They took him to an unknown place and shot four to five bullets in various parts of his body. When death was certain, they fled leaving the body behind.
On the other hand, the martyr's family became frustrated after failing to find Shaheed Rafiqul Islam, the sole support of the family, despite searching everywhere. They repeatedly went to the police station, hospitals, clinics, and even the morgue of Dhaka Medical College, but had to return disappointed. Who knew that this family would be subjected to such cruel and inhuman treatment. Later, through various print and electronic media, the martyr's family came to know that 26 bodies were buried as unclaimed at the Rayerbazar Mohammadpur graveyard of Anjuman Mofidul Islam on July 24. Thus, a blooming rose was extinguished forever. The head of a family.
Comments from Close Relatives and Friends about the Martyr
According to the owner of Shaheed Mohammad Rafiqul Islam's friend Galib Telecom Center, Shaheed Rafiqul Islam had a 25-year friendship. Shaheed Rafiqul Islam was an active candidate for Rokon of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. He was a very good man. He used to read the Quran regularly. He used to practice Hadith. He used to offer prayers in congregation in the mosque regularly. He always played an active role in the movement to establish Deen. Personally, he had no enmity with anyone in the area. Politically, the people of Awami League considered him an opponent. He demanded justice for his friend's killers and demanded assistance and assistance for the indigent family from the government. Md. Khurshed Alam (Shaheed's friend)
Personal Information of the Shaheed at a Glance
Full Name : Md. Rafiqul Islam
Date of Birth : 24-12-1973, Village: Satkachima, Thana: Nazirpur, District: Pirojpur
Wife : Housewife
Family Members : 2
Monthly Family Income : 20,000 Taka
Number of Sons and Daughters : One son
Son : Raihan Islam, Studying in Alim 2nd Year at Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa
Occupation : Skilled Computer Trainer
Permanent Address : Village: Satkachima, Union: Satkachima, Thana: Nazirpur, District: Pirojpur
Current Address : 89/12, Momtaz Villa, Gopibag Area, Wari Thana, Dhaka
Place of Incident : In front of Elahi Mosque, adjacent to Gopibag Bhuter Bari Restaurant
Assailant : Police and Chhatra League, Jubo League, and Awami League terrorists
Time of Injury : July 19, 2024, 9:00 PM
Time and Place of Death : July 19, 2024, 12:10 AM
Martyr's Current Grave Location : Rayerbazar Graveyard, Mohammadpur