State mourning declared for late adviser Hassan Ariff tomorrow

The government has declared a day of national mourning tomorrow (23 December) in honour of AF Hassan Ariff, Adviser to the Ministry of Land and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, who passed away on Friday (20 December).

The announcement was made through a gazette notification today (22 December).

As part of the observance, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational establishments, and both government and private buildings across the country. Bangladesh missions abroad will also follow suit.

Besides, special prayers will be held at mosques nationwide, seeking eternal peace for the departed soul. Other religious institutions will organise prayers and rituals in accordance with their respective faiths.

Hassan Ariff, aged 85, passed away on Friday while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital.

Advisory Council adopts condolence motion for Adviser Ariff

The Advisory Council today formally adopted a condolence motion on the death of Adviser AF Hassan Ariff, recalling his contributions and paying deep respect to him.

The condolence motion was adopted at a special meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser's Office with CA Dr Muhammad Yunus in the chair.

Forest, Environment and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan placed the condolence motion proposal in the meeting which was unanimously adopted.

Hassan Arif will be buried at the Mirpur intellectual graveyard at 10:30 am on Monday next to the grave of Bir Shreshtha Sipahi Hamidur Rahman.

At the beginning of the meeting, one-minute silence was observed paying respect to Hassan Ariff.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and other advisors paid tributes to Hassan Ariff.

"Today, I remember many things that keep coming to my mind. He kept reminding me that we belong to the same age. He had a simple approach like a child. He appeared to solve any problem that arose, wherever he saw any conflict. This wonderful man has left us," Prof Yunus said.

Finance and Planning Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed said Hassan Ariff was a rare personality with his always smiling face.

Reminiscing about his past working life, Jute Textiles and Shipping Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain said he is personally deeply saddened by the death of Hassan Ariff.

Adviser to the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women and Children Sharmeen Murshid said a beautiful relationship was developed with him after coming to work together here in the Council of Advisers. "He was an inspiration for us."

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar said they miss Hassan Ariff Arif today in the Council of Advisers' meeting. "Without him, we will face irreparable loss."

Housing and Public Works Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan described his experience working with Hassan Ariff Arif as a lawyer and said that he was always vocal in protecting human rights.

Adilur Rahman said Hassan Ariff also worked as the founding vice president of the human rights organisation Odhikar.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that Hassan Ariff was a dedicated and hardworking person who used to examine all the documents thoroughly.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said that Hassan Ariff never took any work lightly.

Home Affairs and Agriculture Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said Hassan Ariff was an amiable person that any problem could be solved by discussing with him.

Energy and Road Transport Adviser M Fawzul Kabir Khan said there is a lot of division in the society and the number of people who can bridge this division is gradually decreasing. "He was accepted by all quarters."

Recalling Hassan Ariff's role during the signing of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord in 1997, Adviser on Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Supradeep Chakma said he (Ariff) used to think a lot about the people of the CHT.

Local Government and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan said, "I got to know Hassan Ariff when I became part of the Council of Advisers, and I always found him by my side like a teacher."

Information Adviser Nahid Islam said while working with Adviser Ariff, he never felt the difference in terms of age gap as he used to mix with everyone sincerely.

Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumder said he saw Adviser Ariff working sincerely in organising a participatory election in 2008. "This time too, he worked with utmost dedication."

Cabinet Secretary, Civil Aviation Secretary, and Land Secretary also spoke at the meeting.