No lament for Faraaz’s mother
I’ve known Faraaz Hossain for a long time and know his brother Zaref Hossain well too. They literally grew up before our eyes over the last two decades. Zaref completed school and went off to America to study at the Emory University in Atlanta. Two years later Faraaz completed school too and went to study at the same university. Zaref completed his studies and returned to join his grandfather Latifur Rahman’s Transcom Group this year.
Faraaz had come home on holiday. The family was supposed to go to Malaysia over the Eid vacation. Grandfather Latifur Rahman and grandmother Shahnaz Rahman went off with their younger daughter Shezi, her husband Arshad and their two sons. But Faraaz stayed back because Zaref hadn’t got his visa. Faraaz’s mother Simeen had told him, “Go with your grandfather.” He had done so before but didn’t want to do so this time. He decided he would go on Sunday with his mother and brother.
On the next day Friday, 1 July, Faraaz went along with his friends to Holey Artisan restaurant for dinner. He was brutally killed there during a militant attack on the establishment. This sudden shocking death just cannot be accepted. Yet with immeasurable grief and a heavy heart, we have to accept this tragic death.
According to the reputed international daily, The New York Times, Faraaz was told to move away, but he refused to abandon his friends Abinta Kabir and Tarashi Jain. The militant brutally murdered Abinta because she was an American citizen of Bangladesh origin and Tarashi because she was Indian national. And Faraaz was killed along with them.
Young Faraaz is being hailed at home and abroad for his loyalty to his friends, his immense bravery and his intrinsic human qualities. The teachers and students of Emory University in Atlanta held a large programme in memory of Faraaz and Abinta. They both headed the Students Activities Committee (SAC) of their respective classes. Abanti and Tarashi studied a class below Faraaz in the American International School, Dhaka. Even in school Faraaz excelled in both studies and sports.
At the end of May and beginning of June this year, I visited the Russian capital Moscow as well as St Petersburg on an eight to nine-day trip along with 50 senior officials of Transcom. Simeen and her two sons Zaraf and Faraaz were there too. It was a wonderful trip and these two brothers were such a help not only to their grandparents but to the other elder people in the group too. They were always ready to rush forward for the smallest of assistance, eager to help. We were deeply impressed by their goodness.
I’ve known Faraaz’s mother Simeen for about two decades now, from the inception of Prothom Alo. We have grown closer over the years, in mutual love and respect. Simeen finished her studies in the US 26 years ago and joined Transcom as an employee. Proving her mettle and capability over the years, today she is the successful managing director of three companies of Transcom. This includes the rapidly expanding pharmaceutical company SKF. The three companies headed by Simeen employ 7500 officers and employees. I am not aware of any other woman managing director in Bangladesh heading three companies with such a large number of staff. She is in charge of the entire functioning of these three companies both at home and abroad. But at the end of the day, it was her home and her two sons that were her world. She would spend her mornings, evenings and nights with Zaref and Faraaz. They were what mattered to her the most.
Simeen’s Faraaz is no more. But he is ever in her mind, for all times to come. She sees Faraaz everywhere. For the rest of her days, she will never be able to forget him. This is a reality for Simeen, for all mothers of this world.
There is another reality we face. Simeen’s mother Shahnaz Rahman faced a similar horror 18 years ago. A number of staff members of their household, along with a servant, killed her youngest daughter Shazneen in a most vile and vicious manner. It was a nightmare for all. There wasn’t a more sorrowful tragedy in Latifur Rahman’s life.
Over the past 18 years, Latifur Rahman and Shahnaz Rahman could never for a moment forget the loss of Shazneen. And over these 18 years, the two of them have had to rush from the lower courts, to the High Court, to the Supreme Court, seeking justice. The case goes up and down the various courts, the trial proceeding in fits and starts. The Latifur Rahman couple is weary, wavering between hope and despair. Where will their sorrow end?
If Latifur Rahman cannot avail justice for his daughter’s murder, then who can hope for justice? This is a question that crops up again and again. Will one simply have to wait for the ultimate judgement of Allah?
For the Latifur Rahman couple, after Shazneen, the loss of Simeen’s child has etched a permanent scar in their hearts.
Shazneen would sleep with elder sister Simeen. Simeen was like a guardian to her. Simeen lost her Shazneen all these years ago and now she has lost her 20-year-old son Faraaz. There is a gaping emptiness before her. She stood in front of that Gulshan restaurant all night when the attack took place. She spoke to so many persons there, begging for any morsel of information. She approached so many journalists, police and RAB officers. She phoned us through the entire night, spoke relentlessly to her parents abroad. Finally, after going to CMH and finding out that Faraaz would never return, she went back home, stone-faced.
Over the last eight days since then, the more I see Simeen the more I am amazed. There are times when she breaks down, but that stands strong again. Sometimes tears stream down her cheeks. She embraces loved ones, relations and accepts their condolences. The mothers of her son’s friends try to console her. She listens to so many stories about Faraaz from his friends. She seeks solace.
Simeen listen to them and is filled with pride. He excelled in every field in school and university. All that is true, but this truth is now so tragic to Simeen, a part of her painful loss. Amidst this all, it is a matter of pride and joy for Simeen that in life and death Faraaz is epitomised the true meaning of friendship. He boldly upheld the values of humanity. He stands as an inspiration for the younger generation, a symbol of courage.
Simeen says he recently told her he didn’t want to be known through her fame, but make a name for himself. He had said, “Ma, I will do something that will amaze the country and the entire world!” He has amazed us. He has awed us. Simeen can be proud that her son kept his word. He did not abandon his friends. He displayed a rare courageousness and spirit of humanity. This is the greatest consolation for Simeen, the greatest solace.
This is no lament for Simeen. We hope Simeen overcomes all this unbearable sorrow, tears and pain and, armed with the poignant memory of Faraaz, stands tall and strong to forge ahead. She will take her family ahead, committed to husband Waqar and son Zaraf. She will continue to lead her thousands of employees and friends to take her companies from success to success. Simeen, we look forward to see you gather more strength, stand firm and strong.
Another inspiration for us is the fact that all the businesses and industries of Latifur Rahman and Shahnaz Rahman are within the country. They have no investments abroad. They have no second passports. Everything of their three children is in this country. Their future lies here too. The dreams of their three grandchildren lie in this soil. Bangladesh comes first and foremost to all of them. Bangladesh is the beginning and the end.
Matiur Rahman, Editor, Prothom Alo