Abul Asad

Abul Asad
Native name	আবুল আসাদ
Born	(1942-08-05) 5 August 1942 Rajshahi, East Pakistan (Now- Bangladesh)
Occupation	journalist, Essayist, columnist
Language	Bengali
Citizenship	Bangladeshi
Alma mater	University of Rajshahi
Period	1970 – Present
Subject	History
Notable works	Saimum Series, আমরা সেই সে জাতি
Parents	এ.কে ছামছুল হক (পিতা) মজিদা বেগম (মাতা)

Abul Asad (Bengali: আবুল আসাদ; born 1942) is a writer and journalist in Bangladesh. He is the editor of one of the oldest national dailies in Bangladesh The Daily Sangram. He is admired by Islam loving youth of Bangladesh for his thriller series Saimum Series. He is also known as Islamic thinker and intellectual in Bangladesh.

His cultural activities are largely guided by patriotism and devotion to Islamic ideology. He is one of the renowned cultural activists who devoted their intellectual capabilities to nurture cultural and ideological heritage in Bangladesh. He is involved with many socio-cultural and professional organisations. He is the President of Bangla Sahittya Parishad (BSP), Chairman of Bangladesh Islamic Centre (BIC). He was a director of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangtha (BSS) and a member of Bangladesh Press Council.

He earned good name in the field of journalism. His regular sub-editorial 'Durbin' has been receiving widespread appreciation.

Although he is a successful journalist, Abul Asad is much more known and admired for his thriller series 'Saimum'. Books of this series added a new dimension to Bengali literature. It combines heritage, passion and ideology, and inspires the reader to devote his/her life, deeds and loves to Islam. He started this famous series in 1972 and so far has published 56 novels.

Early life and education

He was born on 5 August 1942 at village Narashinghpur in Rajshahi, Bangladesh. He started writing articles and stories while he was a student of Class XI. Gradually he became involved in journalism. He continued his studies alongside his activities as a journalist. Abul Asad completed his MA in economics from Rajshahi University. His father, A.K Shamsamul Haque was an Islamic scholar from a madrasah at Benaras in India. His mother’s name is Mojida Begum.

Journalism

He started his career as a writer and journalist from his student life itself. He worked as a Rajshahi-based journalist in several dailies and weekly publications. His columns on politics and culture, written while he was a student, were popular and set him in his career as a journalist. He began his career in journalism from 17 January 1970 as an assistant editor of the Daily Sangram. In 1981, he took over responsibility as the editor of the Daily Sangram. He is also a columnist and essayist.

Literature

He has published several books such as “Kaalo Pochish Er Aage O Pore” and “Eksho Bochor Er Raajniti” on regional history and politics, “Amra Shei Sei Jaati” a three part series of story based events in a historical context, and an essay based compilation “Ekush Shotoker Agenda”. His most popular literary work up to date has been the “Saimum Series”, a series which showcases literary fiction combining suspense, romance and morality within a historical context and setting. Till now, 56 books have been published in this popular series. Presently, Abul Asad continues to write novels along with being the editor to the Daily Sangram.

Arrest

He was arrested on 20 September 2011 in connection with his role as editor of The Daily Sangram, which is largely critical of government policies.

Books

• একুশ শতকের এজেন্ডা
• সময়ের সাক্ষী
• ওয়ান ইলেভেনের পূর্বাপর দৃশ্যপট
• একাত্তর এবং অন্যান্য প্রবন্ধ
• কালো পঁচিশের আগে ও পরে
• যুগ সন্ধিক্ষণের পৃথিবী
• একশ বছরের রাজনীতি
• আমরা সেই সে জাতি