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{{Short description|Bangladeshi academic (1939–2024)}}
{{other people5||Haroon Rashid (disambiguation)}}
{{similar names||Haroon Rashid (disambiguation)}}
{{essay-like|date=March 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox officeholder <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
| name = M. Harunur Rashid
| name = M. Harunur Rashid
| image =
| image =
| caption = Rashid in 2012
| caption = Rashid in 2012
| native_name = মোহাম্মদ হারুন-উর-রশিদ
| native_name = {{nobold|মোহাম্মদ হারুন-উর-রশিদ}}
| native_name_lang = bn
| native_name_lang = bn
| office = Director General of [[Bangla Academy]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1939|12|28}}
| term_start = 6 February 1991
| birth_place = [[Assam]], India
| term_end = 19 March 1995
| occupation = Teacher, translator, essayist, critic, columnist
| predecessor = [[Mahmud Shah Qureshi]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Director General and Directors – Banglaacademy |url=https://banglaacademy.org.bd/english/?page_id=169 |access-date=9 September 2023 |date=22 April 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190422055603/https://banglaacademy.org.bd/english/?page_id=169 | archive-date=22 April 2019 }}</ref>
| nationality = Bangladeshi
| successor = [[Abul Mansur Muhammad Abu Musa]]
| education = MA in English literature
| birth_date = {{birth date|1939|12|28|df=yes}}
| period = 1939 – present
| birth_place = [[Tinsukia district|Tinsukia]], [[Assam Province]], [[British India]]
| notableworks = Sanglap Samagra, Dialogue on Islam, Dharmer Nandinikata o Annanya Prashanga, Three Poets ed.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2024|11|26|1939|12|28|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Dhaka]], Bangladesh
| occupation = Teacher, translator, essayist, critic, columnist
| nationality = Bangladeshi
| education = MA in English literature
}}
}}


'''M Harunur Rashid''' (born 28 December 1939) is a distinguished teacher of English literature and language, a notable educational administrator, editor and translator of modern poetry and prose,<ref>{{cite book |title=Bibidh Bikiron |year=2014 |publisher=Ankur Prakashani| pages=106–109| location=Dhaka| first=Abu Taher |last=Mojumder}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=''Bangladesher Kobitaer Chitrokalapa''|year=2006|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|author=Sarker Amin}}</ref> in [[Bangladesh]], a noted writer of [[Sufism]] and Sufi literature<ref>{{cite book |title=‘The Jahangir Nagar Review'|volume=C (part C)|year=1987|publisher=Jahangir Nagar University|article=The Sufi Dimension of Islam|location=Dhaka|author=M Harunur Rashid}}</ref> and a commentator of social, political, cultural scene and literary texts.<ref name="autogenerated330">{{cite book |title=Lekhok Avidhan (Dictionary of Writers)|year=1998|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|page=330|editor=Syed Mohammad Shahed}}</ref>
'''M. Harunur Rashid''' (28 December 1939 – 26 November 2024) was a Bangladeshi academic, educational administrator, editor, and translator.<ref>{{cite book |title=Bibidh Bikiron |year=2014 |publisher=Ankur Prakashani| pages=106–109| location=Dhaka| first=Abu Taher |last=Mojumder}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=''Bangladesher Kobitaer Chitrokalapa''|year=2006|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|author=Sarker Amin}}</ref> He was a noted writer of [[Sufism]] and Sufi literature<ref>{{cite book |title=The Jahangir Nagar Review|volume=C (part C)|year=1987|publisher=Jahangir Nagar University|article=The Sufi Dimension of Islam|location=Dhaka|author=M Harunur Rashid}}</ref> and a commentator of social, political, and literary texts.<ref name="autogenerated330">{{cite book |title=Lekhok Avidhan (Dictionary of Writers)|year=1998|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|page=330|editor=Syed Mohammad Shahed}}</ref>


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Rashid was born on 28 December 1939, to a [[Bengali Muslim]] family in [[Tinsukia district]], [[Assam Province]] in [[British Raj]].<ref name="autogenerated330"/> On the eve of the [[Second World War]], his father Rahimuddin Ahmed, an employee of the [[Assam Bengal Railway]], was transferred to [[Chittagong]]. He spent his early childhood in the idyllic environment of the [[Pahartali Thana|Pahartali]] and [[Chittagong]] hills. When the Japanese bombed Chittagong, his father sent them to his village home in [[Nabinagar Upazila|Nabinagar]], [[Brahmanbaria District|Brahmanbaria]].


His family moved to Pahartali and he read in the Pahartali Railway High School in 1947. Next year the family moved to Chittagong and he got himself admitted to [[Chittagong Collegiate School]].<ref>{{cite book |title=175th Commemorative Celebration of Chittagong Collegiate School|year=2011|publisher=Chattagram Collegiates|location=Chittagong|pages=50–52|editor=Dr. Nurul Amin}}</ref> Here he read up to class nine and on his father's retirement moved to Brahmanbaria town. He passed his matriculation examination from [[Annada Government High School|Annada Model High School]] in 1955. He got himself admitted to [[Brahmanbaria Government College]], and passed his Intermediate in Arts examination (1957) under [[Dhaka University]] standing 5th in the merit list.
Rashid was born in Tinsukia, [[Assam]] in British India on 28 December 1939.<ref name="autogenerated330"/>
On the eve of the Second World War, his father late Rahimuddin Ahmed, an employee of the Assam Bengal Railway was transferred to Chittagong. He spent his early childhood in the idyllic environment of the Pahartali and [[Chittagong]] hills. When the Japanese bombed Chittagong, his father sent them to his village home in Nabinagar, [[Brahmanbaria]]. His village home at Meratali stands on the river Titas and his stay in pastoral surrounding nourished his sensibilities. His early education started with his mother, Salema Khatoon, who was the only literate woman in the village. Later a Maulana was hired for the village boys and he always remembers him with profound love and respect.


He did his BA honours (1960) and MA (1961) from Dhaka University. He later went to [[University of Cambridge]] ([http://www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/ Fitzwilliam College]), UK and obtained his B A honours (1966) and M A (1970).
His family moved to Pahartali and he read in the Pahartali Railway High School in 1947.
Next year the family moved to Chittagong and he got himself admitted to [[Chittagong Collegiate School]].<ref>{{cite book |title=175th Commemorative Celebration of Chittagong Collegiate School|year=2011|publisher=Chattagram Collegiates|location=Chittagong|pages=50–52|editor=Dr. Nurul Amin}}</ref>
Here he read up to class nine and on his father's retirement moved to Brahmanbaria town. He passed his matriculation examination from [[Annada Government High School|Annada Model High School]] in 1955. He got himself admitted to Brahmanbaria College, and passed his Intermediate in Arts examination (1957) under [[Dhaka University]] standing 5th in the merit list.


==Career==
He did his BA honours (1960) and MA (1961) from Dhaka University. He later went to [[University of Cambridge]] ([http://www.fitz.cam.ac.uk/ Fitzwilliam College]), UK and obtained his B A honours (1966) and M A (1970). In the mid-seventies he went to the East West Centre, Hawaii and did his ESOL training which included a visit to the mainland to see some of the important language schools in the States.
During the [[interim government]] of Justice [[Shahabuddin Ahmed]] he was appointed Director General of [[Bangla Academy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://banglaacademy.org.bd/btech/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF/ |script-title=bn:প্রাক্তন পরিচালক ও মহাপরিচালকগণ |trans-title=Former Director and Director General |language=bn |website=Bangla Academy |accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> on 7 February 1991.<ref>{{cite book |title=English Bengali Dictionary|year=1994|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|editor=Mohammad Ali|page=introd|display-editors=etal}}</ref> His appointment as the director general of the [[Bangla Academy]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Bangla Academy Smarakgrantha |year=1996|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|pages=24,461,464|editor=Subrata Barua|author=Gazi Shamsur Rahman}}</ref> was a landmark in his career as an educational administrator. He insisted on its research activities – chiefly the dictionaries which needed editing and branding.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 June 2007|title=Bangla Academir Avidhanguccha Shamayapojogi Kore Tulte Gabeshana Cell Protishtha Kora Uchit (an Interview) |newspaper=Daily Amar Desh|location=Dhaka}}</ref> He published the Bangla Academy English–Bengali Dictionary (ed Z R Siddiqui)<ref>{{cite book |title=English to Bengali Dictionary |year=1993|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|editor=Zillur Rahman Siddique|pages=introd}}</ref> and devised such marketing policies as made it an instant best seller. The cover design was made by artist and painter [[Qayyum Chowdhury]] and all the dictionaries had the same design with change of colour. He commissioned three dictionaries during his tenure and published them. He himself edited one pocket dictionary. The other thing he emphasized was the publication of complete works of literary celebrities including Dr [[Muhammad Shahidullah]], [[Kaykobad]], [[Farrukh Ahmad|Farrukh Ahmed]] and most importantly the complete works of [[Kazi Nazrul Islam]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Nazrul Pandulipi|year=1994|publisher=Bangla Academy|pages=10, 14|location=Dhaka|editor=Selina Bahar Zaman}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Nazrul Pandulipi|year=1994|publisher=Bangla Academy|pages=preface|location=Dhaka|editor=Selina Bahar Zaman (prefaced by Anisuzzaman)}}</ref>


After a stint of four years he went back to [[Jahangirnagar University]]. He went on voluntary retirement in 1998. He took a break from teaching and became the chief editor of ''[[Dhaka Courier]]'', a national English-language newsweekly. But his journalistic career was short-lived and he joined [[North South University]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Abdul Manna Syed|year=2014|publisher=Bangla Academy|pages=121–123|location=Dhaka|author=Onu Hossain}}</ref> as an adjunct professor of English. He taught there for eight years and terminated his contract in December 2008. He then joined Darul Ihsan University as an adviser and professor of English. He taught at [[International Islamic University Chittagong]] at its Dhaka branch until 28 February 2015.
==Professional career==


He was elected president of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in 1998 for two years. In February 2007, he was made the president of Bangla Academy for two years.<ref>{{cite report |title=Bangla Academy Annual Report |publisher=Bangla Academy |date=2006–2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=Bangla Academy Annual Report |publisher=Bangla Academy |date=2008–2009}}</ref> He was unanimously elected Chairman of [http://www.wild-team.org/ Wild Team] (Wild Life Trust of Bangladesh) on 5 August 2015.<ref>[http://www.wild-team.org/meet-the-team Wild Life Team]</ref>
He started his teaching career as a lecturer at Brahmanbaria College in late 1961. He joined EPJES on 4 February 1962 and started teaching at Islamic Intermediate College (now Kavi Nazrul College). He obtained a government scholarship and proceeded to Cambridge for higher studies. He did his Tripos in English and obtained a B A with honours in 1966. On his return, he was appointed a lecturer at [[Dhaka College]]. He was promoted to assistant professor on 6 May 1968. He joined Jinnah College (now Titumir College) and taught there until his selection as a member of the East Pakistan Senior Education Service. He joined M C College, Sylhet as an associate professor on 3 July 1972. He then resigned his government service and joined Chittagong University as an associate professor on 2 October 1973. He was made a professor of English on 24 July 1981. He taught at the University of Anaba, Algeria between 1979 and 1980. He resigned his job at the Chittagong University on 14 May 1985 and joined Jahangirnagar University, on the following day.

During the interregnum of Justice [[Shahabuddin Ahmed]] he was appointed Director General of [[Bangla Academy]] <ref>{{cite web |url=http://banglaacademy.org.bd/btech/%E0%A6%AA%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%B9%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%9A%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%95-%E0%A6%93-%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF/ |script-title=bn:প্রাক্তন পরিচালক ও মহাপরিচালকগণ |trans-title=Former Director and Director General |language=bn |website=Bangla Academy |accessdate=25 January 2015}}</ref> on 7 February 1991.<ref>{{cite book |title=English Bengali Dictionary|year=1994|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|editor=Mohammad Ali|page=introd.|display-editors=etal}}</ref> After a stint of four years he went back to Jahangirnagar University. He went on voluntary retirement in 1998. He took a break from teaching and became the chief editor of ''[[Dhaka Courier]]'', a national English-language newsweekly. But his journalistic career was short-lived and he joined [[North South University]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Abdul Manna Syed|year=2014|publisher=Bangla Academy|pages=121–123|location=Dhaka|author=Onu Hossain}}</ref> as an adjunct professor of English. He taught there for 8 years and terminated his contract in December 2008. He then joined Darul Ihsan University as an adviser and professor of English. He taught at International Islamic University Chittagong at its Dhaka branch until 28 February 2015.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Rashid married his cousin, Murshida Begum, when he was 24. He had two sons and a daughter by her. Murshida died of cancer in 1985. He married Shireen Yasmin Khan the following year. They had no children together.


A significant event in his life was his meeting a Sufi saint, [[Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri]], the maternal grandson of [[Karamat Ali Jaunpuri]],<ref>{{cite book |title=Biographical Encyclopaedia of Sufis (South Asia)|year=2000|publisher=Sarup & Sons|location=New Delhi|author=N. Hanif}}</ref> who preached Islam in [[Bengal]] and Assam in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hoque |first=M Inamul |year=2012 |chapter=Jaunpuri, Karamat Ali |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Jaunpuri,_Karamat_Ali |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref> He accepted him as his ''[[murshid]]''.<ref>[http://www.kaagoj.com/details?id=506 Non-Muslims not to use the word ‘Allah’ by Prof Harunur Rashid]</ref> and followed him taking notes of his lectures. He learnt the principles of Sufism sitting at his feet<ref>[http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=231444:prof-harunur-rashids-vision-of-aesthetics-and-islam&catid=175:weekend-independent&Itemid=213 Prof Harunur Rashid’s vision of aesthetics and Islam - ''The Independent'', 26 September 2014]</ref> and practised the basics of Ma'refat without which, the Guru emphasized, Islam could not be seen in its wholeness, beauty and excellence. Later the notes came in handy in writing about his teachings. He wrote a total of five books on his lectures which were published during his lifetime. He was with him for 13 years until his death in 2001. He published his collected lectures under the title ''Sanglap Samagra'' (2003).<ref>{{cite book |title=Sanglap Samagra|year=2003|publisher=Lamisa Book|location=Dhaka|author=M Harunur Rashid}}</ref> Nearly 12 years after his Shaykh's death he published a magnum opus ''Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri (RA) Smarak Grantha'' (2013).<ref>{{cite book |title='Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri (ra) Smarak Grantha' (Memorial Volume)|year=2013|publisher=Pathak Shamabesh|location=Dhaka|editor=M Harunur Rashid|isbn=978-9848866849}}</ref>
Rashid married his cousin Murshida Begum when he was 24. He had two sons and a daughter by her. Murshida died of cancer in 1985. He married Shireen Yasmin Khan in the following year. He has no children by her.


Rashid died from cancer at the Ibn Sina Hospital in [[Dhaka]], on 26 November 2024, at the age of 84.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bangla Academy's Ex-DG Prof Harunur Rashid passes away |url=https://unb.com.bd/category/Bangladesh/bangla-academys-ex-dg-prof-harunur-rashid-passes-away/147783 |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=unb.com.bd}}</ref>
==Bangla Academy==


==References==
His appointment as the director general of the [[Bangla Academy]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Bangla Academy Smarakgrantha |year=1996|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|pages=24,461,464|editor=Subrata Barua|author=Gazi Shamsur Rahman}}</ref> is a landmark in his career as an educational administrator. This was a challenge which he took with great zeal.<ref>{{cite book |title=Quran Sutra|edition=2nd|year=1993|publisher=Bangla Academy|pages=introd.|location=Dhaka|author=Muhammad Habibur Rahman}}</ref> At the universities he proved his merit as the provosts of A F Rahman Hall, CU (1980-1982), Shahjalal Hall CU (1983-1985) and M H Hall, JU (1990-1991). But Bangla Academy was a vast field for creative activities of national interest. He insisted on its research activities – chiefly the dictionaries which needed editing and branding.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 June 2007|title=Bangla Academir Avidhanguccha Shamayapojogi Kore Tulte Gabeshana Cell Protishtha Kora Uchit (an Interview) |newspaper=Daily Amar Desh|location=Dhaka}}</ref> He published the Bangla Academy English–Bengali Dictionary (ed Z R Siddiqui) <ref>{{cite book |title=English to Bengali Dictionary |year=1993|publisher=Bangla Academy|location=Dhaka|editor=Zillur Rahman Siddique|pages=introd.}}</ref> and devised such marketing policies as made it an instant best seller. The cover design was made by artist and painter [[Qayyum Chowdhury]] and all the dictionaries had the same design with change of colour. He commissioned three dictionaries during his tenure and published them. He himself edited one pocket dictionary. The other thing he emphasized was the publication of complete works of literary celebrities including Dr Muhammad Shahidullah, Kaykobad, Farrukh Ahmed and most importantly the complete works of Kazi Nazrul Islam,.<ref>{{cite book |title=Nazrul Pandulipi|year=1994|publisher=Bangla Academy|pages=10, 14|location=Dhaka|editor=Selina Bahar Zaman}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Nazrul Pandulipi|year=1994|publisher=Bangla Academy|pages=preface|location=Dhaka|editor=Selina Bahar Zaman (prefaced by Anisuzzaman)}}</ref> During his time, Ananda literary Award was given to Bangla Academy which the Council of the Academy politely refused. The Bangla Academy Press bought two brand new Heidelberg Printing machines and it was during his tenure that the Press employees came under govt. pension scheme. A new project for young writers ‘Tarun Lekhak Prakalpo’ was started during his tenure.
{{reflist}}


{{authority control}}
==President of autonomous bodies and NGO==

He was elected the president of World University Service International, Geneva in 1984 at the General Assembly held in Nantes, France. Only two South Asian personalities held this post before him – Dr Zakir Husain, former President of India and Dr I H Qureshi, education minister of Pakistan. He led the delegation of the WUS to the 42nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

He was elected president of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in 1998 for two years. In February 2007, he was made the president of Bangla Academy for two years.<ref>{{cite report |title=Bangla Academy Annual Report |publisher=Bangla Academy |date=2006–2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |title=Bangla Academy Annual Report |publisher=Bangla Academy |date=2008–2009}}</ref> He was unanimously elected Chairman of [http://www.wild-team.org/ Wild Team] (Wild Life Trust of Bangladesh) on 5 August 2015.<ref>[http://www.wild-team.org/meet-the-team Wild Life Team]</ref>

==Visiting countries on Government invitation==

He was invited by the US government to visit some North American universities under the International Visitor's Programme in 1988. When he was president Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran invited him and two of his colleagues to visit the Encyclopedia programmes of the country in 1999.

==Important seminars attended and lectures delivered==
* Delivered a lecture on ''The new poetry of Independence, Protest and Revolution in Bangladesh'' at the Mississippi Room in the students Center on 15 November 1976 on the invitation of the English and Foreign Languages Department, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale (USA)
* Presented a paper on ''Socio-economic and political priorities of Asia'' at the WUS regional conference held in Manila between 23 and 27 October 1985
* Presented a paper on ''Unity and Diversity: the Sufi Dimension'' at the World Islamic Conference held in Casablanca, Morocco between 7 and 11 November 1987
* Attended a Cambridge seminar sponsored by the British Council held at Cambridge UK between 10 and 19 July 1991
* Presented a paper on ''Folk Tradition Modern Literature and the Element of Continuity'' at a seminar sponsored by the Sahitya Academy held in Kolkata on 25 December 1994
* Attended a seminar on ''Actualities – British and Islam'' held between 28 and 30 May 1999 at the Royal Commonwealth Society, London
* Delivered the 46th Foundation Day Lecture of the Bangla Academy on ''The Crisis of Civilization and the Individual'' on 3 December 2001
* Delivered a lecture on ''Dharmer Nandanikata (Aesthetics of Religion)'' at the invitation of Dev Centre for Philosophical Studies of Dhaka University, 2007
* Delivered a lecture on ''Amar Amir Itikatha'' (A Probe into the Self within myself) at the invitation of Centre for Advanced Research in Humanities of Dhaka University, 2007

==Encounter with a Sufi Saint==

A significant event in his life was his meeting a Sufi saint, [[Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri]], a grandson of Shah Karamat Ali Jaunpuri,<ref>{{cite book |title=Biographical Encyclopaedia of Sufis (South Asia)|year=2000|publisher=Sarup & Sons|location=New Delhi|author=N. Hanif}}</ref> who preached Islam in [[Bengal]] and Assam in the 19th century.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hoque |first=M Inamul |year=2012 |chapter=Jaunpuri, Karamat Ali |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Jaunpuri,_Karamat_Ali |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref> He accepted him as his Guru (Shaykh) <ref>[http://www.kaagoj.com/details?id=506 Non-Muslims not to use the word ‘Allah’ by Prof Harunur Rashid]</ref> and followed him taking notes of his lectures. He learnt the principles of Sufism sitting at his feet<ref>[http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=231444:prof-harunur-rashids-vision-of-aesthetics-and-islam&catid=175:weekend-independent&Itemid=213 Prof Harunur Rashid’s vision of aesthetics and Islam - The Independent, 26 September 2014]</ref> and practiced the basics of Ma'refat without which, the Guru emphasized, Islam could not be seen its wholeness, beauty and excellence. Later the notes came in handy in writing about his teachings. He wrote a total of five books on his lectures which were published during his lifetime. He was with him for 13 years until his passing away in 2001. He published his collected lectures under the title ''Sanglap Samagra'' (2003).<ref>{{cite book |title='Sanglap Samagra'|year=2003|publisher=Lamisa Book|location=Dhaka|author=M Harunur Rashid}}</ref> Nearly 12 years after his Shaykh's death he published a magnum opus ''Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri (RA) Smarak Grantha'' (2013)<ref>{{cite book |title='Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri (ra) Smarak Grantha' (Memorial Volume)|year=2013|publisher=Pathak Shamabesh|location=Dhaka|editor=M Harunur Rashid|isbn=978-9848866849}}</ref>

==Works==

Rashid's contribution is primarily on literature, specially on poetry,<ref>{{cite book |title=Bibidh Bikiron|year=2014|publisher=Ankur Prakashani|pages=97–105|location=Dhaka|author=Abu Taher Mojumder}}</ref> translation and also on [[sufism]].

;As Author
* ''Bhasha Chintay O Karme'' tr. (Language in Thought and Action by S I Hayakawa), Bangla Academy, 1968
* ''Three Poets'' tr ed (First anthology of Bangladeshi poetry in English translation), Bangladesh Books International, 1976
* ''Silpakala'' (Magazine, vol 2) 'Murtaja Baseer: The Odyssey of a Lonely Soul'. M. Harunur Rashid, Shilpakala Academy 1979
* ''Tinti Farashi Probondha'' (Three French essays in translation), Bangla Academy, 1984
* ''A Choice of Contemporary Verse from Bangladesh'' ed. Bangla Academy,1985
* ''Shamalochona'' (Criticism), Bangla Academy, 1985
* ''Shabder Shilparupa o Annanya Probondha'' (Art forms of words and other essays), Bangla Academy, 1985
* ''Eklasuddin Ahmeder Probondha O Patraboli'' (Essays and letters of Eklasuddin Ahmed), Bangla Academy, 1988
* ''Machhi'' M Harunur Rashid, tr. Les Mouches by Jean Paul Sartre, Bishwa Shahitya Kendra, 1991
* ''A Choice of Verse on Human Rights'' ed. UNIC, 1993.
* ''Hawaii Theke Likhchhi'' (Letters from Hawaii), Samoy Prakashani,1993
* ''Hazar Bachharer Swapna'' Bangla Academy, 1994
* ''Hasan Bayatir Sukh Dukkha'' tr Last Days of an Artist by Anwar Ridhwan, Bangla Academy, 1994
* ''Sattyer Prakash'' ed (messages and epigrams of Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri). 1994
* ''A few Youths in the Moon'', tr. Chander Aloy Ora Koyekjon by [[Humayun Ahmed]]. Samoy Prakashani, 1995
* ''Shahaj Bangla Avidhan'' (a concise Bengali dictionary), Bangla Academy. 1995
* ''Vruner Maa Manusher Allah Ebong Annanya Sanglap'', ( Foetus's Mother, Man's Allah and other dialogues),Dhaka 1996
* ''Niruddesh Nadi Antaheen Sagar Ebang Annanya Sanglap'', (The Lost River, the Boundless Sea and other dialogues) Dhaka 1996
* ''Beduiner Lal Ut Ebang Annanya Sanglap'', ( Bedouin's red camel and other dialogues) Dhaka. 1997
* ''Ichhaheen Ghare Ichhar Basabash Ebang Annanya Sanglap'', (Desire in a Desireless Abode and other dialogues), Dhaka 1997
* ''Jibaner Gandi Mrittur Thikana Ebang Annanya Sanglap'', (The Frontiers of Life, the Abode of Death and other dialogues), Dhaka 1998
* ''From Courage to Courage and Other Poems'', ed with introd. Bangla Academy, 1998
* ''Manav Jatir Asamatar Utsa Ebang Vitti'', tr. On the Origin of the inequality of mankind by Jean Jaques Rousseau. Bangla Academy, 1999
* ''English for Bangali Learners'', Bangla Academy, 2000
* ''The Esoteric on the Canvas'', Brochure introducing Murtaja Baseer's painting exhibition, 1-15 Nov, 2002 held at Shilpaka Academy.
* ''Swapner Moroke Ichhar Basabash'', (poetry) Anupam Prakashani, 2002
* ''Sanglap Samagra'', (Collected dialogues of Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri), 2003
* ''What my name is'' (A book of verses by Sarker Amin) tr. M Harunur Rashid and Razia Khan Amin, Drupaid, Dhaka 2003
* ''Dharmer Nandanikata O Annanya Prasanga'', Adorn Publication, Dhaka 2008
* ''All Praise be to Him'' ''Sakal Prasangsha Tanr'' by Abdul Mannan Syed, tr M. Harunur Rashid. Dhaka 2012
* ''The Story of Bones and Other Poems'' by Kamal Chowdhury, tr. M. Harunur Rashid. Shamabesh, Dhaka 2012
* ''Selected Surrealist Poems'' ed with an introduction (Selections from Surrealist poems by Abdul Mannan Syed), Samabesh 2012
* ''Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri (RA) Smarak Grantha’’ ed Pathak Samabesh, Dhaka 2013
* ''Moments in the Mirror'', Vol 1 (selected columns), Samabesh, Dhaka 2014
* ''Moments in the Mirror'', Vol 2 (selected columns), Samabesh, Dhaka 2015
* ''Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri (ra) Sufi Tatta Bodhini Kathammrito Sagar'' (Lectures on Applied Sufi Lessons) by M. Harunur Rashid. Shamabesh. Dhaka 2015
* ''Mahanabir Jiboner Alaukik Ghotonaboli'' (Miracles in the Life of the Great Prophet) by M. Harunur Rashid. Shamabesh. Dhaka 2015
* ''Smritir Rekhachitro: Chera Megher Bhela'' (Sketches of Memories) by M. Harunur Rashid, Piyal Printing and Publications, Dhaka 2016
* Cambridge: Look Back in Love by M. Harunur Rashid, MetaKave Publications, Dhaka 2016
* ''Rabia Basri theke MeeraBai'' translated by M. Harunur Rashid, MetaKave Publications, Dhaka, 2017
* ''Me before me and other poems'' by M. Harunur Rashid, Pathak Shamabesh, Dhaka, 2020

;Books dedicated to him
* ''Brahmanbariar Meyeli Geet'' by Shahnaz Munni, Mangalshandhya, Dhaka 1990
* ''Mongol Sandhya'', edited by Sarker Amin. Dhrubopada, Dhaka 2014
* ''Metamodern and Other Tendencies'' by [[Mohammad Nurul Huda]]. Banglaprokash, Dhaka 2014
* ''Adhunikotar Pathe Bangladesh (Bangladesh on the Road to Modernity)'' by Mohit Ul Alam, V.C. Nazrul University, Mymensingh. Katha Prokash, Dhaka 2015
* Collected Novels of Humayun Ahmed (Volume 4), Dhaka
* ''Kabbosangraha'' by Matin Bairagi, Suddhoprakash, Dhaka 2018
* ''The General and Other Poems'' by Habibullah Shirajee, Shamabesh Book, Dhaka 2019

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Rashid, M Harunur}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rashid, M. Harunur}}
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi essayists]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi essayists]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi male writers]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi male writers]]
[[Category:Dhaka College faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Dhaka College]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi educators]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi educators]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi Sufis]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi Sufis]]
[[Category:Sufism in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Alumni of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Alumni of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge]]
[[Category:Male essayists]]
[[Category:Male essayists]]
[[Category:Jahangirnagar University faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Jahangirnagar University]]
[[Category:People from Brahmanbaria district]]
[[Category:Chittagong Collegiate School and College alumni]]
[[Category:Brahmanbaria Government College alumni]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Bangladesh]]

Latest revision as of 01:02, 21 December 2024

For other people with similar names, see Haroon Rashid (disambiguation).

M. Harunur Rashid
মোহাম্মদ হারুন-উর-রশিদ
Director General of Bangla Academy
In office
6 February 1991 – 19 March 1995
Preceded byMahmud Shah Qureshi[1]
Succeeded byAbul Mansur Muhammad Abu Musa
Personal details
Born(1939-12-28)28 December 1939
Tinsukia, Assam Province, British India
Died26 November 2024(2024-11-26) (aged 84)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
NationalityBangladeshi
EducationMA in English literature
OccupationTeacher, translator, essayist, critic, columnist

M. Harunur Rashid (28 December 1939 – 26 November 2024) was a Bangladeshi academic, educational administrator, editor, and translator.[2][3] He was a noted writer of Sufism and Sufi literature[4] and a commentator of social, political, and literary texts.[5]

Early life and education

[edit]

Rashid was born on 28 December 1939, to a Bengali Muslim family in Tinsukia district, Assam Province in British Raj.[5] On the eve of the Second World War, his father Rahimuddin Ahmed, an employee of the Assam Bengal Railway, was transferred to Chittagong. He spent his early childhood in the idyllic environment of the Pahartali and Chittagong hills. When the Japanese bombed Chittagong, his father sent them to his village home in Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria.

His family moved to Pahartali and he read in the Pahartali Railway High School in 1947. Next year the family moved to Chittagong and he got himself admitted to Chittagong Collegiate School.[6] Here he read up to class nine and on his father's retirement moved to Brahmanbaria town. He passed his matriculation examination from Annada Model High School in 1955. He got himself admitted to Brahmanbaria Government College, and passed his Intermediate in Arts examination (1957) under Dhaka University standing 5th in the merit list.

He did his BA honours (1960) and MA (1961) from Dhaka University. He later went to University of Cambridge (Fitzwilliam College), UK and obtained his B A honours (1966) and M A (1970).

Career

[edit]

During the interim government of Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed he was appointed Director General of Bangla Academy[7] on 7 February 1991.[8] His appointment as the director general of the Bangla Academy[9] was a landmark in his career as an educational administrator. He insisted on its research activities – chiefly the dictionaries which needed editing and branding.[10] He published the Bangla Academy English–Bengali Dictionary (ed Z R Siddiqui)[11] and devised such marketing policies as made it an instant best seller. The cover design was made by artist and painter Qayyum Chowdhury and all the dictionaries had the same design with change of colour. He commissioned three dictionaries during his tenure and published them. He himself edited one pocket dictionary. The other thing he emphasized was the publication of complete works of literary celebrities including Dr Muhammad Shahidullah, Kaykobad, Farrukh Ahmed and most importantly the complete works of Kazi Nazrul Islam.[12][13]

After a stint of four years he went back to Jahangirnagar University. He went on voluntary retirement in 1998. He took a break from teaching and became the chief editor of Dhaka Courier, a national English-language newsweekly. But his journalistic career was short-lived and he joined North South University[14] as an adjunct professor of English. He taught there for eight years and terminated his contract in December 2008. He then joined Darul Ihsan University as an adviser and professor of English. He taught at International Islamic University Chittagong at its Dhaka branch until 28 February 2015.

He was elected president of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh in 1998 for two years. In February 2007, he was made the president of Bangla Academy for two years.[15][16] He was unanimously elected Chairman of Wild Team (Wild Life Trust of Bangladesh) on 5 August 2015.[17]

Personal life

[edit]

Rashid married his cousin, Murshida Begum, when he was 24. He had two sons and a daughter by her. Murshida died of cancer in 1985. He married Shireen Yasmin Khan the following year. They had no children together.

A significant event in his life was his meeting a Sufi saint, Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri, the maternal grandson of Karamat Ali Jaunpuri,[18] who preached Islam in Bengal and Assam in the 19th century.[19] He accepted him as his murshid.[20] and followed him taking notes of his lectures. He learnt the principles of Sufism sitting at his feet[21] and practised the basics of Ma'refat without which, the Guru emphasized, Islam could not be seen in its wholeness, beauty and excellence. Later the notes came in handy in writing about his teachings. He wrote a total of five books on his lectures which were published during his lifetime. He was with him for 13 years until his death in 2001. He published his collected lectures under the title Sanglap Samagra (2003).[22] Nearly 12 years after his Shaykh's death he published a magnum opus Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri (RA) Smarak Grantha (2013).[23]

Rashid died from cancer at the Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka, on 26 November 2024, at the age of 84.[24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Former Director General and Directors – Banglaacademy". 22 April 2019. Archived from the original on 22 April 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  2. ^ Mojumder, Abu Taher (2014). Bibidh Bikiron. Dhaka: Ankur Prakashani. pp. 106–109.
  3. ^ Sarker Amin (2006). Bangladesher Kobitaer Chitrokalapa. Dhaka: Bangla Academy.
  4. ^ M Harunur Rashid (1987). "The Sufi Dimension of Islam". The Jahangir Nagar Review. Vol. C (part C). Dhaka: Jahangir Nagar University.
  5. ^ a b Syed Mohammad Shahed, ed. (1998). Lekhok Avidhan (Dictionary of Writers). Dhaka: Bangla Academy. p. 330.
  6. ^ Dr. Nurul Amin, ed. (2011). 175th Commemorative Celebration of Chittagong Collegiate School. Chittagong: Chattagram Collegiates. pp. 50–52.
  7. ^ প্রাক্তন পরিচালক ও মহাপরিচালকগণ [Former Director and Director General]. Bangla Academy (in Bengali). Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  8. ^ Mohammad Ali; et al., eds. (1994). English Bengali Dictionary. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. p. introd.
  9. ^ Gazi Shamsur Rahman (1996). Subrata Barua (ed.). Bangla Academy Smarakgrantha. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. pp. 24, 461, 464.
  10. ^ "Bangla Academir Avidhanguccha Shamayapojogi Kore Tulte Gabeshana Cell Protishtha Kora Uchit (an Interview)". Daily Amar Desh. Dhaka. 25 June 2007.
  11. ^ Zillur Rahman Siddique, ed. (1993). English to Bengali Dictionary. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. pp. introd.
  12. ^ Selina Bahar Zaman, ed. (1994). Nazrul Pandulipi. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. pp. 10, 14.
  13. ^ Selina Bahar Zaman (prefaced by Anisuzzaman), ed. (1994). Nazrul Pandulipi. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. pp. preface.
  14. ^ Onu Hossain (2014). Abdul Manna Syed. Dhaka: Bangla Academy. pp. 121–123.
  15. ^ Bangla Academy Annual Report (Report). Bangla Academy. 2006–2007.
  16. ^ Bangla Academy Annual Report (Report). Bangla Academy. 2008–2009.
  17. ^ Wild Life Team
  18. ^ N. Hanif (2000). Biographical Encyclopaedia of Sufis (South Asia). New Delhi: Sarup & Sons.
  19. ^ Hoque, M Inamul (2012). "Jaunpuri, Karamat Ali". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
  20. ^ Non-Muslims not to use the word ‘Allah’ by Prof Harunur Rashid
  21. ^ Prof Harunur Rashid’s vision of aesthetics and Islam - The Independent, 26 September 2014
  22. ^ M Harunur Rashid (2003). Sanglap Samagra. Dhaka: Lamisa Book.
  23. ^ M Harunur Rashid, ed. (2013). 'Syed Rashid Ahmed Jaunpuri (ra) Smarak Grantha' (Memorial Volume). Dhaka: Pathak Shamabesh. ISBN 978-9848866849.
  24. ^ "Bangla Academy's Ex-DG Prof Harunur Rashid passes away". unb.com.bd. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
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