Veteran journalist Shahed Kamal passes away

Veteran journalist, former news editor of national news agency BSS, and adjunct faculty of the mass communication and journalism department of Dhaka University, Shahed Kamal, died of old-age complications at a private hospital in Dhaka on Saturday. He was 86.

Kamal, son of renowned poet Sufia Kamal, breathed his last around 7:30pm at Sikder Medical College Hospital while undergoing treatment at the intensive care unit (ICU) of the facility, family sources said.

He was admitted to the ICU on Saturday morning with pneumonia and diarrhoea, just 20 days ahead of his 86th birthday on 24 July.

According to family members, Shahed Kamal's body will be kept tonight at "Sanjher Maya" residence in Dhanmondi to allow relatives, friends and well-wishers to have a last glimpse of him and pay their tributes.

Her sister, rights activist Sultana Kamal, currently staying abroad, said his namaz-e-janaza would be held after Zuhr prayers on Sunday at Taqwa Mosque in Dhanmondi.

He is expected to be laid to eternal rest at Azimpur Graveyard beside his mother Sufia Kamal’s grave.

Shahed Kamal made his debut in journalism in 1957 and served in the then Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) and continued his job as it was renamed and restructured as Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) as the country’s national news agency.

After independence, he simultaneously joined as an adjunct teacher of the journalism department of the premier Dhaka University, from where he had secured his master’s degree in journalism as well.

Ahead of obtaining his master’s degree, he received his bachelor’s degree from the university after his studies at Notre Dame College.

A confirmed bachelor, Kamal, was active in Bangladesh’s scouting movement and known for his acumen in classical music, fine arts, literature and political and social history.

During his decades-long career, both as a journalist and journalism teacher, he taught a number of journalists who subsequently earned prominence in the profession.   

His death has cast a pall of gloom over the country's journalism and academic communities, with colleagues, former students and admirers remembering him for his professionalism, integrity and lifelong dedication to journalism and education.

Kamal was the eldest among his surviving two sisters and a brother.

Sultana Kamal said there were six brothers and three sisters, while the others passed away at different times.