FROM NATIONAL PRESS CLUB: The third namaj-e-janaza of veteran journalist, also former editor of ‘The Independent’ Mahbubul Alamm, was held after the Zohr prayer at the National Press Club on Saturday.

He will be buried at the Azimpur Graveyard later in the day, family sources said while many distinguished persons, relatives, friends and admirers attended the janaza.

Earlier, Mahbubul Alam’s first namaj-e-janaza was held on Friday at the Azad Mosque at Gulshan after the Asr prayer and the second janaza was held at the BEXIMCO Media Complex at Tejgaon on Saturday morning.

Mahbubul Alam, also former advisor of caretaker government, breathed his last at the Intensive Care Unit of BIRDEM Hospital around 9:20am.

He was on life support at the hospital for the last three days.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Opposition Leader Raushan Ershad, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, in separate messages, expressed deep shock at the death of Alam.

He left behind his wife, three daughters and a host of relatives and well-wishers to mourn his death.

The senior journalist was born in Munshiganj district in 1936 and started his journalism career in 1953.

The Independent former editor also served as a member of the governing body of the Press Institute of Bangladesh, a member of the National Press Club, the Bangladesh Press Council and as the Honorary Secretary, Bangladesh Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

He was also the president of the Newspaper Owners’ Association of Bangladesh (NOAB).

Alam lectured on Bangladesh affairs at different universities in the United States, including the University of Wisconsin at Madison, New York State University at Stony Brook and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Alam was a recipient of the Atish Dipankar Gold Medal for his contribution to journalism.

BDST: 1545 HRS, JUN 07, 2014