Death of Former MP, Language Movement Veteran and Liberation War Organiser Amena Ahmed

Amena Ahmed, a distinguished language movement veteran and one of the prominent organisers of Bangladesh’s Liberation War, has passed away at the age of 90 (Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un). Her death marks the end of a remarkable chapter in the country’s political and progressive movements, in which she played an enduring and influential role.

She died on Saturday at around 11:00 a.m. while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital. She is survived by her only daughter, Ivy Rahman, along with a wide circle of political comrades, admirers and well-wishers. Her passing has prompted an outpouring of grief across political and social spheres.

Amena Ahmed was the wife of the late Professor Muzaffar Ahmed, a former adviser to the wartime Provisional Government of Bangladesh. Throughout her life, she remained deeply involved in left-leaning politics, student activism, and progressive movements that shaped the nation’s political consciousness.

Her political journey began during her student years at Eden College, where she actively participated in the historic Language Movement of 1952. She later became a leader of the Students’ Union and served as Vice-President of the Eden College Students’ Union, establishing herself early on as a committed organiser and advocate for democratic rights.

Over the decades, she continued her engagement in national politics. She served as President of the National Awami Party (NAP) and later as a member of its Presidium in the current executive structure. Her leadership within progressive political circles earned her respect as a steadfast and principled figure.

She also served twice as a Member of Parliament from reserved women’s seats in 2009 and 2014, contributing to parliamentary discussions and representing women’s voices within the national legislature. Her political career reflected a lifelong dedication to public service, equality, and democratic ideals.

Her death has been met with deep sorrow from various political parties and organisations, including the National Awami Party, the Communist Party, and the Students’ Union, all of whom expressed condolences to the bereaved family. Political leaders described her as a courageous organiser and a lifelong advocate of progressive politics.

According to NAP Presidium member Kazi Siddiqur Rahman, her funeral will be conducted with state honours after Maghrib prayers on Saturday in her ancestral village, Elahabad in Debidwar upazila of Cumilla. She will be laid to rest beside the grave of her husband, Professor Muzaffar Ahmed.

Key Highlights of Amena Ahmed’s Life

Amena Ahmed’s life stands as a testament to decades of political struggle, ideological commitment and public service. From the Language Movement to the Liberation War and beyond, she remained a consistent voice for progressive change in Bangladesh.