Faraaz memory shines in darkness

Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain. File Photo
Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain. File Photo

The jovial and frisky youth was adorably called 'Chhotu' by his mother. He was known as Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, grandson of Transcom Group chairman Latifur Rahman, and the younger child of industrialist Simeen Hossain and Waquer Hossain.

This talented youth studied at Emory University in Atlanta in the USA. The militant attack on Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan changed everything. Faraaz was martyred.

Simeen Hossain once told a press conference that she is Faraaz’s mother and this is her sole identity in the country as well as in the whole world. Faraaz repeatedly said he would make his mother proud one day.

Simeen, in turn, would tell him, "Well, show me one day," but she could never imagine that she had to remember his bravery with such agony every moment.

Faraaz, along with his two friends Abinta Kabir and Tarishi Jain, went to the bakery around 7:45am on 1 July 2016, police said in the charge sheet submitted to the court over the attack.

Faraaz and Abinta came to Dhaka on Eid holiday. Tarishi's Indian parents lived in Dhaka. She was due to Delhi on the next morning. Abinta studied at Emory University while Tarishi was a student of University of California. They were all childhood friends and didn't want to miss the opportunity to hang out. They sat in the hall room of the ground floor. Another friend Miraz was scheduled to join them but could not make it in time, according to his family. Actually, the bakery went under the control of the militants before Miraz reached.

New York Times first published a report on how Faraaz died. A piece published in the website of Faraaz Foundation, 'That Horrific Night', reads, "When the policemen arrived, they were met with heavy gunfire and grenades as they attempted to enter the restaurant. Two officers were killed and many others were injured. Over the course of the night, as the families of Faraaz, Tarishi and Abinta paced up and down the street outside the restaurant, not knowing whether the three would be coming back home. The militants had targeted non-Muslims and foreigners."

Faraaz, Abinta, and Ishrat Akhond, assistant commissioner of police Rabiul Islam and Banai police station officer-in-charge Salahuddin were killed in that night.

On the following day of the attack, the heroism of a youth was widely discussed among people. The diners who were kept on hostage at the bakery on that night talked about the bravery of a youth.

The militants told Faraaz to leave after recognising that he was a Muslim, the diners quoted the militants as saying. But they allowed him the freedom on one condition that his friends would not be freed. Faraaz refused to leave. He stayed by his friends' side till the last breath.

Italy based nonprofit organisation The Garden of the Righteous Worldwide (GARIWO) plants trees, and places memorial stones commemorating people who fight against terrorism and contribute for humanity. On 15 July 2016, this organisation set up a Garden of Righteous in the Italian embassy in Tunisia dedicating five Righteous Arab and Muslim personalities. A tree was planted and a memorial stone placed in the garden commemorating Faraaz who is so far the only non-Arab to receive such honour. Rummo High School in Italy's Benevento planted a tree at their school remembering Faraaz.

He was awarded Mother Teresa Award for his unparalleled friendship.

Goizueta Business School of Emory University recognised him as a graduate in the 2018 convocation. He was two years away from accomplishing the degree. The university also introduced 'Faraaz Hossain Core Value Award' in recognition of his sacrifice. In memory of Faraaz and Abinta, Emory University also inaugurated Hossain Kabir Room at their Oxford College campus. Distressed Children and Infants International awarded Faraaz with the Humanitarian Award at Yale University in 2017. PepsiCo has been awarding the Faraaz Hossain Courage Award since 2016 in the country.

Faraaz Hossain Foundation set up by Transcom Group. The foundation is working to serve humanity and has supported more than 20,000 Rohingyas fled from Myanmar. They run other initiatives including medical camps, distribution of warm clothes among the destitute and so on.

The night of 1 July 2016 has been a horrific night. The memory of Faraaz is a blaze in that darkness. Simeen Hossain's 'Chhotu' has become a synonym of courage, friendship and humanity.

*This report, originally published in Prothom Alo print edition, has been rewritten in English by Nusrat Nowrin.