“In Memory of Late Mr. Abdul Haq (2E)” by Mr. Mubashir Ahmed Khan (2E-UK)

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Abdul Haq passed away in Michigan USA on the 18th. of June 2017.  lnna Lillahe Wa lnna  Elaihe Rajeun. I know late Abdul Haq from  Juldia Academy. He was in my Top ( Mizzen) and living in the same dormitory as mine. He was a very sincere friend. One Sunday,on the occasion of our shore leave from the Academy, he took me to Chittagong College where he had been ex-student. It was sports day at the college and I enjoyed my visit  immensely meeting his friends also.

I remember once late Asrarullah ( Chief Education Officer)  sent him to Chittagong College with brochures for publicity of the Academy and to encourage college students for joining the Academy.

Late Abdul Haq was a self made man not belonging to a well to do family. During June July of 1965, when the exams were over and we were preparing for the passing out parade, I observed Abdul Haq in the class room copying the Reeds textbooks in his register size note books for future studies. He was well aware that he wouldn’t be able to purchase these books in near future. It was just an example of his hard work and dedication to his career.

During his apprenticeship at Karachi Port Trust Workshop, he lived at Jacob Lines near Karachi Sadder and I used to visit him regularly.His monthly stipend from the Workshop was not enough for daily maintenance. (It was Rupees.SO in first year, Rupees.90 in second year and Rupees.100 in the 3rd year of apprenticeship). Mr. Haq would make extra money from private tuitions.

When I joined BSC as Chief Engineer in April 1981, he was then Superintendent in this Organisation. Interestingly myself and Abdul Haq were together in the five days (24th to 24th. April 1983) IMO Workshop on Marine Pollution Prevention Control and Response held at the Juldia Academy. I was then Chief Engineer of Banglar Doot waiting for lighterage in Chittagong port. ( Banglar Doot was the first ship of BSC). Mr Abdul Haq informed me that he lately worked as Superintendent for Gulfeast Company Hong Kong.

In the middle of 1996, my ship Sea Tradition was in Chittagong port, discharging cargo from Japan and Taiwan. I called Abdul Haq Sahib and he came on board one Sunday morning to see me. He was at this time Principal Officer Mercantile Marine Department ( POMMD) Chittagong. He invited me  to his house for dinner.. His official residence was at hilltop. I enjoyed a grand dinner with his family. He knew that I liked Bangia mishti, so he gifted me a box of sweets when I was taking leave after dinner.

I was in touch with late Abdul Haq after he moved to USA. I would speak to him on phone at intervals of one or two months. His health was not good. In every phone conversation, he would ask me to pray for him. From bdmariners website, I came to know that he was on life support in the hospital. In May/June 2017, I dialed his phone number several times but there would be no answer. By coincidence, on the 19th of June, I picked up phone and dialed Haq Sahib’s home number. His wife answered the phone and told me that our dear friend Abdul Haq Sahib had passed away one day before (morning of 18.06.2017). I was shocked to hear this tragic news. She further said that his dead body would be flown to Bangladesh for burial. May his soul rest in eternity. Amen. We shall lnsha’Allah always remember late Abdul Haq. All our sympathies are with the bereaved family.

Mubashir Ahmed Khan ( 2E )
London   04.09.2017
Mob. 07474706732
Email.  mubashira2050@gmail.com

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