Desk report : With teary eyes, family members, journalists and hundreds of well-wishers bade adieu to veteran journalist ABM Musa, who was laid to eternal rest in Feni yesterday.

He was buried next to his mother's grave at the family graveyard at Kutubpur under Fulgazi upazila in Feni around 9:30pm, after the last janaza in Ali Azam High School playground of Munshirhat.

Earlier around 12:30pm, his body was taken by a hearse from Labaid Hospital mortuary to the Jatiya Press Club, a place which Musa considered as his second home, and kept there for a wake.

Ministers, political leaders, senior journalists, leaders of all journalist associations, media houses, academics, cultural activists, civil society members, representatives of socio-cultural organisations, and people from different strata paid their last tribute to the journalist with flowers and wreaths.

A namaz-e-janaza was held there. Syed Abdal Ahmed, general secretary of the press club, read out a condolence message before the janaza.

Prior to the janaza, the journalist's son Dr Nasim Musa said, "The press club was the most beloved place to my father; he used to love the place no less than his family. Today he is leaving the place forever. Please pray for him."

People from all walks of life, including leaders of Awami League and BNP, academics, cultural personalities, and journalists, join the namaj-e-janaza of veteran journalist ABM Musa on the Jatiya Press Club premises yesterday.  Photo: Star

People from all walks of life, including leaders of Awami League and BNP, academics, cultural personalities, and journalists, join the namaj-e-janaza of veteran journalist ABM Musa on the Jatiya Press Club premises yesterday. Photo: Star

The 83-year-old Ekushey Award recipient passed away at a hospital in the capital on Wednesday noon, ending a 60-year-long chequered career in journalism. He was on life support for the last several days before his death.

Musa's first namaz-e-janaza was held in a playground on Iqbal Road at Mohammadpur after Maghrib prayers on Wednesday. The body was then kept at Labaid Hospital mortuary.

After paying tribute to Musa, Prof Anisuzzaman said, "I know him for around 62 years. The way he internalised the tactics of telling people's stories under embargo during the military rule will remain as an example for all of us."

Veteran journalist Kamal Lohani said Musa was a dedicated journalist. "He was the first man who used Bangla on the number plate of his vehicle during the Pakistan period. He was sued for that."

Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu termed Musa an honest man.

BNP Acting Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Musa had worked with righteousness and devotion in his entire life.

"His death will create a vacuum not only in journalism, but also in the national arena. It will not be filled up soon," he said.

The hearse carrying Musa's body left the press club after 2:00pm for Feni. His third janaza was held in Mizan Maidan of Feni town after Maghrib prayers.

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Born on February 28, 1931, Musa contributed to different areas of journalism during his 64-year career. He was the founder member of the Jatiya Press Club. Musa was elected as a member of the parliament in the first parliamentary elections of independent Bangladesh. the daily star