Tribute to Professor Arefin Siddique

Former Vice-Chancellor of DU AAMS Arefin Siddique.

A distinguished gentleman and a rare Bengali person who was loved and admired by all

Sir Frank Peters

It is with profound regret I read about the passing of distinguished former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique.

What an individual and unique human being he was. A stylish person in dress and a total gentleman by any measuring device you care to apply.

Nationwide, everyone knew him by image. He was not only the ‘face’ and ambassador of Dhaka University, but also the entire fraternity of universities nationwide. Universities worldwide would have been proud to have had him as their ambassador.

I was fortunate enough to have met with him, chatted, and shook his hand on a numerous occasions. We shared space at book launchings and sat together on a variety of discussion panels.

My first get-together with him was memorable. Musa Ibrahim who had distinguished himself by bringing international glory to the nation by becoming the first Bengali to climb Mount Everest, brought us together.

Musa with unbridled enthusiasm and utmost respect introduced the iconic gentleman to me by saying:

“Sir Frank, this is Professor Arefin Siddique, the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University and one of the rarest breeds of gentlemen you’ll ever likely to meet in Bangladesh. He is loved and admired by all.” Wow!

I had never encountered an introduction of that calibre before and it completely overwhelmed me and endeared me even more to Musa for having said it.

Perhaps a variation of Musa’s remarks ought be deep etched in gold on Professor Siddique’s tombstone. Something like: “Professor Arefin Siddique was a distinguished gentleman and a rare Bengali person who was loved and admired by all.”

May almighty Allah eternally reward him for the undoubted good he performed on earth and in so doing, enriched the lives of many. His body has died, but his memory will live on in the hearts of countless.

The writer is a, former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor, a humanitarian, anti corporal punishment crusader, and a human rights activist