Latifur Rahman’s chehlum held

The chehlum of Latifur Rahman, late chairman and managing director of Transcom Group, was held at his Gulshan residence in the capital city on Sunday. The chehlum was joined by members of his family, relatives, close friends and well-wishers. They offered prayers for the departed soul.

The chehlum was held with a limited number in attendance and maintaining social distancing. Prayers were also offered for Latifur Rahman’s youngest daughter Shazneen Rahman who was cruelly murdered in 1998 and also for his grandson Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, who was tragically killed in the 2016 militant attack on Holey Artisan Bakery.

Present at the chehlum were chairman and managing director of Transcom Group, Shahnaz Rahman, CEO Simeen Rahman, directors Arshad Waliur Rahman and Shazreh Huq, Latifur Rahman’s brother Saifur Rahman, cousin Shamsur Rahman and senior officials of Transcom Group’s various companies. Also present were ICCB president Mahbubur Rahman, former president of MCCI Rokia Afzal Rahman, business leader M Kasem and others.

Latifur Rahman passed away on 1 July at his home Faraaz Manzil in his village Cheora of Choddogram upazila, Cumilla district. Sunday marked the 40 days since his passing away. A chehlum and milad mehfil for Latifur Rahman was also held on Sunday at the Prothom Alo office in Cumilla.

In recognition of his ethical business practices, reputation and integrity, in 2012 he was honoured with the Oslo Business for Peace Award. In 2001 he received the American Chamber of Commerce’s Business Executive Award. He also received the SAARC Outstanding Leader Award and the UK-Bangladesh Catalyst of Commerce and Industry’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Latifur Rahman began his business in 1966 with his family jute mill in Chandpur. He worked there as an executive officer till 1971. In 1972 his family’s main business, W Rahman Jute Mills, was nationalised. The following year he established the Transcom Group.