A friend indeed
Prothom Alo readers commemorate Friendship Day with glowing tributes to Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain whose compassion and courage have made him an icon of friendship. This collection of their writings is dedicated to Faraaz who was killed in the militant attack on Holey Artisan Bakery.
A friend in times of danger
Shyamal Chowdhury, Mohanganj, Netrakona
It is in times of danger that a true friend comes forward. Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain was such a friend. By giving his life along with his friends, he has set an example of true friendship. Friendship is valued in our society. Friends come forward in times of danger. It may be easy to make a friend, but hard to maintain a friendship. Greed, jealousy and selfishness can tear friends apart. Fair weather friends are a dime a dozen, but friends in times of need are few and far between. We all know the story of two friends, where one climbs a tree, leaving the other at the mercy of a bear. That is hardly true friendship. In good times there are so many friends, but in bad times they all vanish. Everyone is dependent on each other in a community and that is why the bond of compassion is forged. This leads to friendship. Meanness, shallowness, narrow-mindedness, and selfishness have no place in friendship. Friendship based on selfless and mutual care is true friendship. A friend who stands steadfast in times of sadness, danger and misfortune, is a real friend. And that was Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain.
All deaths are not the same
Sabuj Wahed, Dipta Television, Dhaka
When I think about friendship, a few close friends come to mind. And I also remember Eric Maria Remarque’s Three Comrades. In recent times another image is conjured up before me when it comes to friendship, and that is of Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain. It is with a sense of anguish that I see the face of Faraaz. I hear the voice of Pratul Mukhapadhaya:
“Jonmile morite hobe jane to shobai
Tobu morone morone onek phak achhey bhai re
Shob moron ek noi shoman”
[You are born and must die, everyone knows
But there is a difference between deaths O brother
All deaths are not the same]
The song makes me want to know more about Faraaz. Did he play football? Cricket? Would he pick up his diary in the deep of night to pen down a poem, or his dreams of days to come? I do not know. That image doesn’t tell me all this. But there is no doubt that his eyes were full of dreams. And those dreams gave him such courage, because those who dare to dream are the bold ones. Even when he could have saved himself, courageous Faraaz refused to abandon his friends on that fateful night at Holey Artisan Restaurant. He stood beside them in the face of death and etched an indelible image of friendship for the world.
Friendship etched in blood
Zubair Ibne Kamal, Jatrabari, Dhaka
The family’s joy knew no bounds that day, 15 April 1996, when their prince entered this world, illuminating their lives like a ray of moonlight. They also did not know that he wasn’t a prince. Princes stay towards the back in times of war. It is the hero that rides at the forefront, sacrificing his life. This boy was such a hero. The family also did not know that just twenty years on this hero would become a star in the sky, teaching the world a lesson in love. The star lights up the entire world. Had his loving mother known this, perhaps she would keep him in her embrace forever. I had a good friend in my childhood. He was called Yamin. We would fight all the time. In the morning he would go off in a huff, in the afternoon he’d treat me to ice cream. One day we were fooling around and I cut my hand. Yamin was such a good friend of mine, but upon seeing blood, he just fled away. On 1 July there was blood everywhere around Faraaz. He did not give his studies at Atlanta’s Emory University a second thought. He put his friendship first and foremost, refusing to leave his friends alone. The boy Faraaz who lighted the world up with his birth, left for darkness of the night, holding the hands of his two friends. The night was bright with stars.
Faraaz Ayaaz defeats death
Mohammed Sharif, Grameen Bank, Jamalpur
Faraaz Ayaaz, you are Bangladesh. You have taken Bangladesh to new heights. You are beyond compare. You defeated death that terrible dark night. For Bangladesh, 1 July will remain both a day of pain and a day of pride. You are an example of sacrifice before the entire world. We feel your death deeply. Our hearts swell with pride. We feel we belong to the greatest country in the world. Your sacrifice has transformed you into a true hero.
Faraaz, Bangladesh will tread your path. You are a unique example of friendship for the world. You are the best example of humanity. We are broken and wounded by your departure.
You are the true model of sacrifice. You are super humanitarian. You did not want to leave your friends and save yourself. You walked into the jaws of certain death, setting an immortal example of friendship. The people of the world can now take on the responsibility to stand up against terrorism and to remain fearless like you.
The nation remembers your sacrifice with deep respect. You have showed that human beings are there for each other, irrespective of race or religion. Even death will not tear apart our bond with you.
Everybody’s friend
Shakil Noor, Dhaka City College
A true friend is the one who stays steadfast in times of danger. He does not abandon his friend. The whole world has seen how Faraaz gave his life for his friends. By giving his life, Faraaz has given glory to friendship, taken it to a new height.
We would see fictitious friends in books, novels and movies, but now we have Faraaz. Faraaz is not just Abanti and Tarishi’s friend, today he is everybody’s friend. He did not abandon his friends, though he could easily have left them and saved himself.
Faraaz said he would not leave his friends alone. That is why the militants killed him.
Faraaz, stay well wherever you are. You will remain eternal in the heart of all friendships.
Giving your life
Ahad Adnan, physician, Matuail, Dhaka
Had Faraaz lived even a single day longer, perhaps we would never have known his name. Or perhaps if just one day passed, he may have lived a hundred years in this dear world. This talented boy may have built an excellent career for himself, may have brought his country renown. Perhaps then some would have heard his name. But fate had other plans.
Fate drew Barkat from his house to give his life for language. Rumi threw aside his dreams for the sake of the country. Nur Hossain died for democracy. Faraaz feared no bullet. He scorned death for his friends. If I live, you must let my friends live. If you are to kill my friends, kill me first, you enemies.
I want to know about the morning before. Some say one wakes from the last sleep of one’s life with the fragrance of flowers. There is a strange intoxication in those last hours of one’s life. Heavenly chants resound. They are the martyrs. Amazing how one can martyr one’s life for one’s friends! What an amazing Bangalee nation! These Faraazes amaze us to no end!
But I see Faraaz every day. Every day a Faraaz stands up to terrorists. They stand by the distressed in the floods. They hand over books to their friends. Faraaz is a star lighting up a dark night.
If Faraaz lived one more day, perhaps that would be one life. But in giving his life for his friends, he lives on for a thousand years.
A tale of friendship
Anik Saha, Jagannath University
Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain has created a story of true friendship. His is an exemplary tale. The story may begin like this: Once upon a time there was a brave boy named Faraaz. He went to a restaurant with his friends. Suddenly some cruel persons raided the restaurant. They began killing off everyone there. They wanted to let Faraaz go, but Faraaz said, unless you free my friends, I will not go. They said, then you will have to die. Faraaz replied, if my friends die, so will I.
This is a true story of friendship. Faraaz used to often tell his mother, “I am going to show the world!” Faraaz, you really have shown the world the true meaning of friendship!
Our pride
Fatin Ishraq, Rangpur Zila School, Rangpur
Bangalees are a friend loving nation. They are ever emotional. Bangladesh is a proud nation. There are no dearth of poetry, stories and songs about the country. Such a humanitarian spirit is rarely found in any other country of the world. The love and compassion shared among the people is special. Just as a tree can’t exist without roots, the people here cannot do without their friends. As the poet said, “Emon deshti kothao khunje pabe nako tumi, shokol desher rani she-je amar jonmobhumi” [You will never find another country like this, my motherland is the queen of all countries.”] There really is no other country like this. Where else is there so much love for a friend? Faraaz was given the chance to leave. But Bangalees are of a different mettle. We have heard, a friend in need is a friend indeed. Faraaz is a living proof of this. He has shown the world what friendship means in Bangladesh. Our friends are precious to us. Bangalees can do anything for their friends.
They have given their lives for the language, for the country and for their friends. This is the pride of Bangalees. At a time when there is worry about the rise of militants in the country, we can say with pride, sacrificing personalities like Faraaz are being born in this country. And our pride knows no bounds. Faraaz is our pride.
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