Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah
Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 19, 1974 Seral, Agailjhara, Barisal District, Bangladesh |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, politician |
| Known for | Mayor of Barisal City Corporation (2018–2023) |
Serniabat Sadiq Abdullah is a prominent Bangladeshi entrepreneur and political figure who held the office of mayor for the Barisal City Corporation from 2018 until 2023. He is the offspring of Abul Hasanat Abdullah, a politician affiliated with the Awami League, and the grandson of Abdur Rab Serniabat.
Early life and education
Born on 19 November 1974, Abdullah hails from the Bengali Muslim Serniabat lineage based in Seral within Agailjhara, Barisal District, Bangladesh. His ancestry traces back to Emperor Sher Shah Suri. Notably, his grandfather, Abdur Rab Serniabat, held ministerial roles across several Mujib-led administrations. Abdullah’s grandmother, Sheikh Amena Begum, was a sibling of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
During the tragic assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, members of Abdullah’s family—including his grandfather, uncle, aunt, and cousin—were killed, while his mother, Shahan Ara Abdullah, along with other relatives, sustained injuries. His uncle, Abul Khair Abdullah, also serves as a political leader.
Abdullah lacks formal academic qualifications and considers himself self-taught.
Career
In 2018, Abdullah was selected by the Awami League to run in the election for the Barisal City Corporation mayoral position. At that time, he held the role of joint secretary for the Awami League’s Barisal City branch. He chose not to participate in a voter engagement event organized by Citizens for Good Governance (SHUJAN).
He achieved a decisive victory by obtaining 107,353 votes, significantly surpassing his closest contender, Mazibor Rahman Sarwar from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who earned 13,135 votes. The election saw a boycott from candidates representing the Communist Party of Bangladesh and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, who accused the process of electoral fraud. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina officially administered his oath of office. Ahead of the election, authorities detained numerous activists affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.
Subsequently, Abdullah was elevated to the position of General Secretary for the Awami League’s Barisal City unit.
In September 2020, three journalists working for Barishal Khobor—an online news outlet—were arrested and charged under the provisions of the Digital Security Act after recording footage involving Abdullah and his family. Reports emerged that they endured physical abuse while in custody.
Following the decline of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League administration, in February 2025, Abdullah’s residence in Barisal was destroyed by fire and subsequently demolished using bulldozers.