A M Nurul Islam
Nurul Islam Anu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Courtgaon, Munshiganj District, Bangladesh |
| Died | October 18, 2017 (aged 77) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, civil servant, businessman, editor |
| Years active | 1963–2017 |
| Known for | Private secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman; longest-serving president of U.S. Awami League (1989–2002) |
Nurul Islam Anu (; 1939–2017), frequently referred to as A M Nurul Islam (Anu), was a notable figure in Bangladeshi politics and civil administration. His professional journey commenced in the Civil Services of Pakistan (C.S.P.) in 1963, and following Bangladesh's independence in 1971, he transitioned to serve the new nation's government. Anu was appointed private secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from 1972 to 1973 and held the distinction of being the longest-serving president of the U.S. branch of the Bangladesh Awami League between 1989 and 2002.
Early life
Anu was born on 14 December 1939 in Courtgaon, located within the Munshiganj District. He was the son of Sirajul Islam and Edanessa Begum. His elder sibling, A J M Enamul Islam, is recognized as Secretary General of the Commonwealth Society of Bangladesh and is an influential entrepreneur. Additionally, Anu was related to Abdul Hakim Bikrampuri, who served as a member of both the Bengal Legislative Assembly and Pakistan's National Assembly.
He completed his Master of Arts in history at University of Dhaka in 1961 and subsequently took up a lecturing position there before entering the Civil Services of Pakistan in 1963. Anu was married to Mohsina Islam.
Civil service
Throughout his civil service tenure, Anu undertook multiple administrative responsibilities under both Pakistani (1963–1971) and Bangladeshi (1972–1975) governments. During the 1971 Liberation War, he supported the exiled Mujibnagar government while serving within East Pakistan's administration. Following Pakistan’s capitulation on 16 December 1971, he was entrusted with reestablishing order at Bangabhaban, overseeing infrastructure repairs, and organizing personnel in preparation for the incoming government.
In 1972, Anu was appointed joint secretary to President Abu Sayeed Chowdhury and subsequently served as private secretary to Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from 1972 to 1973. He later represented Bangladesh as Economic and Trade Counselor at its High Commission in Washington D.C.
Anu resigned from his diplomatic role on 15 August 1975 in protest against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s assassination and declined subsequent offers from later administrations.
His dedication to Bangladesh’s civil service earned him the Mother Teresa Gold Medal in 2010, awarded by the Mother Teresa Research Council.
Politics
Originally a career bureaucrat, Nurul Islam shifted to political engagement by joining the Bangladesh Awami League after leaving government service in 1975. He was instrumental in founding the party’s U.S. chapter (U.S. Awami League) in 1982 and led it as president from 1989 until 2002. Additionally, he contributed significantly to the Awami League’s election coordination efforts during the parliamentary polls of 1991 and 1996.
Private sector and print media
Following his departure from diplomatic service, Anu ventured into business based in Maryland, USA, where he established Transcontinental IMEX Plc., an international firm specializing in commodity trading and consultancy. He presided over this company for more than two decades. Upon returning to Bangladesh in 2004, he became involved in banking, serving on the board of directors for National Bank Limited from 2005 to 2008 and chairing its audit committee between 2007 and 2008.
In 2008, Anu joined Bank Asia Limited as a director and was elevated to vice chairman in 2009, maintaining this role until his death in 2017. During this period, he chaired both the Audit Committee and Risk Management Committee of the bank. From 2013 until his passing, he acted as financial advisor to Opex Group, a leading exporter in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry.
Between 2009 and 2013, Nurul Islam Anu held editorial responsibilities at the Bengali daily Daily Shokaler Khobor, initially as editor and later as publisher. He also contributed political analysis through columns published in The Daily Star, Bangladesh’s highest-circulation English-language newspaper.
Death
Nurul Islam Anu passed away on 18 October 2017. Following his death, Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed their condolences, acknowledging his significant contributions.
In New York, the U.S. Awami League along with other related organizations in North America organized prayer gatherings and memorial events to pay tribute to Nurul Islam Anu.
Anu Memorial Foundation
To honor his memory, Nurul Islam Anu's relatives founded the Anu Memorial Foundation (AMF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to charitable and welfare projects that support communities throughout Bangladesh. The foundation's leadership team features A J M Enamul Islam as president and Arafat Ashwad Islam serving as board secretary. Through various philanthropic endeavors, AMF upholds Nurul Islam Anu’s commitment to selfless service for the nation.