Today marks the 13th death anniversary of Principal Maulana Md Nurul Huda, a noted educationist, distinguished Islamic thinker and teachers’ leader. He passed away on September 15, 2013, while undergoing treatment for cancer at Labaid Hospital in the capital. For his outstanding contributions to teaching, the spread of education, Islamic scholarship and social service over decades, he remains, to this day, fondly remembered by teachers, students and well-wishers.
Devoted to teaching for more than half a century, Maulana Nurul Huda held important positions at several renowned educational institutions across the country, serving as principal at various institutions for more than four decades. Having earned Dawra-e-Hadith and Kamil — the highest degrees in both the Qawmi and Alia streams of madrasa education — he possessed rare scholarship, with deep expertise in the Quran, Hadith, Fiqh and Arabic literature. Over his long career, he shaped countless students through education and moral guidance, and played an important role in producing many Islamic scholars. At the time of his death, he was serving as principal of the historic Harbaid Darul Uloom Fazil (degree) Madrasa in Purbail, under Gazipur City Corporation.
His contributions to the spread of education were wide-ranging. He was the founder and chairman of the governing body of the historic Al-Helal School and Al-Helal Academy in Tongi, Gazipur. He also served as founding principal of Amirabad Islamia Senior Madrasa in Sonagazi, Feni, and as principal of Manikdi Senior Madrasa. He also taught at Sonagazi Fazil Madrasa and Bhadadia Madrasa. Until his death, he faithfully served as centre secretary of the Tamirul Millat Kamil Madrasa examination centre.
Alongside teaching, he was a nationally respected preacher (waez), khatib of several mosques, and a dedicated social worker involved in various welfare activities. He also served as chief advisor and patron of the welfare organisation Nurain Foundation. Leading organisations including Jamiatul Mudarrisin and the Madrasa Teachers Association, Maulana Nurul Huda played an important role in advocating for teachers’ rights and in movements on various social and religious issues. He also had a close relationship with writing, having served as president of the editorial board of the popular weekly Sangbadata. He led a long and active life, combining scholarship, teaching, religious values and social service.
In his family life, Principal Maulana Md Nurul Huda was the father of four sons and seven daughters. His eldest son, M Abdullah, is a former president of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and joint editor of the Daily Amar Desh. His second son, M Enayet Ullah, is managing director of Comfort Group. His third son, Muhammad Hedayet Ullah, is the Gazipur district correspondent for the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), general secretary of the Journalists’ Union of Gazipur (JUG), and principal of Al-Helal School. His youngest son, Advocate Sanaullah, is a lawyer at the High Court Division of the Supreme Court. His wife also passed away, on April 23, 2019.
Thirteen years after his death, former students, colleagues, well-wishers and relatives continue to remember his work and contributions across education and society with respect. On the occasion of his death anniversary, his family has sought prayers from the nation for the salvation of his soul.