AKM Zakaria will be missed

Abul Kalam Muhammed Zakaria was not only an efficient administrator and archaeologist but also an expert translator, anthropologist, historian, sports organiser and a good person, said Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique.

He came up with the comment at a memorial meeting and a photography exhibition on Zakaria, held in Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate building at DU yesterday.

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"Committee to publish books on architectural sites of Dhaka", an initiative of a group of young researchers, organised the programme.

"He had an infinite zeal to learn new materials and teach others. He will be missed," said Prof Arefin.

Maruf Shamser Zakaria, son of late Zakaria, said, "He always spent time with us despite being busy. He was disciplined, logical and secular minded."

Prof Saiful Islam Khan of the Persian language and culture department of DU said, "He was one of the few scholars in Bangladesh who was fluent in Persian language."

Around 30 of his books, including "Bangladesher Pratnasampad", "Bangladesher Prachin Kirti", and "Nabab Siraj-ud-Doula", as well as translated historical books "Tabkat-e-Nasiri", "Tarikh-e-Bangla-e-Mahabbatjangi", "Muzaffarnama", "Naobahar-e-Murshidkuli Khan", and "Siarul Mutakhkhirin" were exhibited along with some rare photos of his busy and eventful life.

Zakaria received Ekushey Padak in 2015 and Bangla Academy Award in 2006 for his contributions.

Born in 1918, the scholar completed his graduation in English Literature from Dhaka University. He started his career as a teacher at Government Azizul Haque College, Bogra in 1946. Two years later, he joined the civil service. He breathed his last on February 24, 2016, aged 97.