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{{short description|Former President of Bangladesh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Zillur Rahman
|native_name = জিল্লুর রহমান
|native_name_lang = bn
|office = 15th [[President of Bangladesh]]
|primeminister = [[Sheikh Hasina]]
|image = Zillur Rahman in Dhaka on September 07, 2011.jpg
|caption = Rahman in 2011
|term_start = 12 February 2009
|term_end = 20 March 2013
|predecessor = [[Iajuddin Ahmed]]
|successor = [[Abdul Hamid (politician)|Abdul Hamid]]
|birth_name = Mohammed Zillur Rahman
|birth_date = {{birth date|1929|3|9|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Kishoreganj District|Bhairab]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British Raj|British India]]
|death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2013|3|20|1929|3|9}}
|death_place = [[Singapore]]
|resting_place = [[Banani graveyard]], [[Dhaka]]<ref name="grave">{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/president-laid-to-rest/|title=President laid to rest|access-date=2013-03-23|date=2013-03-23 |work=The Daily Star |author=Hasan Jahid Tusher}}</ref>
|party = [[Bangladesh Awami League|Awami League]]
|otherparty = [[Grand Alliance (Bangladesh)|Grand Alliance]] {{small|(2008–2013)}}
|spouse = {{marriage|[[Ivy Rahman]]|1958|2004||reason=d}}
|children = [[Nazmul Hasan Papon]]
|nationality = [[British Raj|British Indian]] (1927–1947)<br />Pakistani (1947–1971)<br />Bangladeshi (1971–2013)
|alma_mater = [[Dhaka College]] <br/>[[University of Dhaka]]
|education = MS (history)
}}
'''Mohammed Zillur Rahman''' (9 March 1929 – 20 March 2013) was the [[President of Bangladesh]]<ref>{{cite news|access-date=2018-10-28|title=Zillur sworn in as president|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-75669|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]|date=13 February 2009}}</ref> from 2009 to 2013. He was also a senior presidium member of the [[Awami League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Khaleda sad, unhappy|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/khaleda-sad-unhappy/|newspaper=The Daily Star|date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21855904 |title=Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman dies after illness|newspaper=BBC|date=20 March 2013|access-date=22 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="Xinhua News">{{cite news|title=Presidium Member of Awami League|date=11 February 2009|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/11/content_10802544.htm|access-date=11 February 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426042048/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/11/content_10802544.htm|archive-date=26 April 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He is the third president of Bangladesh, after [[Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]] and [[Ziaur Rahman]], to [[die in office]], while being the first to die of natural causes.

==Early life==
Rahman was born on 9 March 1929 in [[Bhairab Upazila]], [[Kishoreganj District]],<ref name=palo>{{cite news|url=http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2013-03-21/news/338349 |script-title=bn:অভিভাবক হারাল জাতি|work=Prothom Alo |date=21 March 2013 |language=bn |access-date=2013-03-21}}</ref> his mother's paternal home. His father, Meher Ali Miyan, was a lawyer, the Chairman of the [[Mymensingh]] Local Board and Member of the District Board.<ref name="Xinhua News"/>

Rahman's early education started at a nearby primary school named Bhairab Model Govt. Primary school. In 1946, he passed Matriculation from Bhairab K. B. High School. He graduated with an Intermediate of Arts (IA) in 1947 from [[Dhaka College]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bdinn.com/news/president-zillur-passes-away/|title=President Zillur passes away |newspaper=BDINN|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> In 1954, he got his MA with Honours in History and a LLB degree from [[Dhaka University]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bangladesh.gov.bd/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=135&Itemid=208|title=National Web Portal of Bangladesh – President|publisher=Government of Bangladesh|access-date=20 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Rahman,_Md_Zillur|title=Rahman, Md Zillur|last=Howlader|first=Abdul Awal|date=3 July 2014|website=Banglapedia|language=en|access-date=26 July 2018}}</ref>

==Career==
Rahman became close with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during the campaign for the [[1947 Sylhet referendum]].<ref name=":0" /> He participated in the [[Bengali language movement]] of 1952.<ref name="hab22mar">{{cite news|last=Habib|first=Haroon|title=Zillur Rahman, a revered statesman|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/south-asia/zillur-rahman-a-revered-statesman/article4535022.ece|access-date=22 March 2013|newspaper=The Hindu|date=22 March 2013}}</ref> He held a student gathering on 19 February 1952 at Dhaka University as part of the language movement. In 1953, he was expelled by the Dhaka University for his role in the language Movement but the order was rescinded in the face of student protests. He was the vice-chairman of election steering committee for the greater Mymensingh region during the 1954 election. He served as the president of the Awami League affiliated East Pakistan Awami Swechchhasebak League. In 1956 he was elected President of the Kishoreganj subdivision unit of Awami League. He served as the General Secretary of Dhaka District Bar Association.<ref name=":0" />

Later, as an Awami League candidate, Rahman was elected as a member of parliament in the 1970 national elections of Pakistan. During the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]], Rahman actively participated in the [[Mujibnagar|Government-in-exile]]. He was a contributor to the Daily Joy Bangla.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/zillur-rahman-pioneer-of-bangladeshi-independence-8544735.html|title=Zillur Rahman: Pioneer of Bangladeshi independence|work=The Independent|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en-GB}}</ref> After the war, Rahman became the General Secretary of [[Awami League]] in 1972. He was elected as a member of the parliament in the 1973 general elections.<ref name="Xinhua News" /> In 1974, he was elected to the post of General Secretary of the Awami League. In 1975 he was appointed to the Central Committee of Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League and made its secretary.<ref name=":0" /> After the [[assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman]], Rahman was arrested by the army junta, and spent four years in prison. In 1981, he served as a Presidium Member of Awami League. he was elected to the parliament in 1986 and was imprisoned the same year. In 1992, he was made the general secretary of Awami League.<ref name=":0" />

Rahman served as a [[Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives|Minister of Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives]] and the deputy leader of parliament in the Awami League government between 1996 and 2001.<ref name="Xinhua News" /> He was re-elected General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League in 1997. He was re-elected to Parliament in 2001.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/life-of-zillur-rahman|title=Life of Zillur Rahman|date=2013-03-20|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> His wife, Ivy Rahman, was killed the [[2004 Dhaka grenade attack]]. She was a leader of Bangladesh Awami League and its women's front the Mohila League.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/2004/08/25/d4082501011.htm |title=Ivy dies from her wounds after 58 hours |work=The Daily Star |access-date=2018-07-26}}</ref> He served as the temporary President of [[Bangladesh Awami League]] during the 2006–08 Bangladeshi political crisis when President of Bangladesh Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, was imprisoned by the military backed caretaker government. He was re-elected to Parliament in 2008.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />

===Presidency===
Rahman was sworn in as the 19th president of Bangladesh on 12 February 2009.<ref name=bdnews>{{cite news|url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/03/20/a-complete-politician-cum-president|title=A complete politician-cum-president|newspaper=BD news24|access-date=21 March 2013|date=21 March 2013}}</ref> He was elected president of Bangladesh uncontested.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-75063|title=Zillur all set to be president|date=2009-02-09|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> In May 2009 in a meeting with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he called for caution over the global recession and emphasized the importance of globalization.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-86645|title=Create opportunity for foreign trade from global recession|date=2009-05-04|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> He was the Chief Scout of Bangladesh and expressed happiness over Bangladesh becoming the 5th largest scout country in the world during his term.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-79102|title=Scout movement to help build happy, prosperous Bangladesh|date=2009-03-09|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> As President he was the Supreme Commander of the Bangladesh Armed Forces. He had called for the modernizing of the Armed Forces.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-138303|title=Zillur for modernising air force|date=2010-05-13|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> He called for improving ties between the Air Forces of South Asian countries.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-175304|title=Zillur for more ties among air forces of Saarc countries|date=2011-02-24|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref>

On 27 September 2010, Rahman appointed Justice [[A. B. M. Khairul Haque]] to be the 19th [[Chief Justice of Bangladesh|chief justice of Bangladesh]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-156149|title=Justice Khairul Haque new chief justice|date=2010-09-27|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> He called for their training to be improved to facilitate the modernization.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-129623|title=Modernise army thru' latest training: Zillur|date=2010-03-11|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> In 2012, he asked the Organisation of Islamic Conference countries to pressure Myanmar to take back the Rohingya refugees.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-246481|title=Zillur urges OIC to persuade Myanmar|date=2012-08-17|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> He called for expanding trade and diplomatic ties with Cuba after the Cuban ambassador to Bangladesh presented his credentials on 10 February 2012.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-221815|title=Zillur for expanding relations with Cuba|date=2012-02-10|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref> On 28 January 2013, he criticised Bangladesh Nationalist Party, then the opposition party, for not participating in the parliament and carrying out their duties.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-266848|title=Zillur critical of opposition role|date=2013-01-28|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref>

===Clemency power exercised by Rahman===
Rahman exercised his power to grant clemency to as many as 21 individuals while he was in office.<ref name="star">{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/president-zillur-passes-away/|title=President Zillur passes away|author=Syed Badrul Ahsan and Shakhawat Liton|date=21 March 2013|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> In contrast, only four pardons were granted by his predecessors between 1972 and 2008.<ref name="star" /> Among the people for whom Rahman exercised his clemency power is A H M Biplob who was convicted in the case of murdering a lawyer. The Sessions Court awarded Biplob, son of Awami League leader and Mayor of Laxmipur municipality Abu Taher,<ref name=star_presidential>{{cite news|url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=224539|title=Presidential clemency political|date=1 March 2012|access-date=4 Dec 2013|newspaper=The Daily Star}}</ref> the death penalty for the murder in absentia. Following applications from Biplob's mother Rahman, the then President pardoned Biplob in the murder case of the lawyer in July 2011 and, then in February 2012, remitted the two other life imprisonments to ten years imprisonments.<ref name=ahrc>{{cite news|url=http://www.humanrights.asia/news/ahrc-news/AHRC-STM-037-2012|title=BANGLADESH: Clemency must not be a political game|date=29 February 2012|access-date=4 Dec 2013}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Rahman was married to fellow Awami League politician [[Ivy Rahman]], the party's secretary for women's affairs. Ivy was killed in the [[2004 Dhaka grenade attack]].<ref name="dstar">{{cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/08/25/d4082501022.htm |title=Country crippled in hartal |work=The Daily Star |date=25 August 2004 |access-date=10 December 2012}}</ref> Together they had one son – Nazmul Hassan Papon – and two daughters – Tania Bakht and Tanima Bakht.<ref name="bdnews" /> Papon is the president of the [[Bangladesh Cricket Board]], managing director of [[Beximco Pharma]] and an MP.<ref name="Xinhua News" /><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers?symbol=BXPq.L|title=Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd (BXPq.L) People|date=9 February 2009|newspaper=Reuters|access-date=20 March 2013}}</ref>

==Illness and death==

[[File:Grave of Zillur Rahman at Banani Graveyard in Dhaka 25.jpg|thumb|Grave of Zillur Rahman at Banani Graveyard]]
Rahman died at [[Mount Elizabeth Hospital]] in Singapore aged 84 on 20 March 2013<ref>{{cite news|url=http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/03/20/zillur-rahman-dies|title=Zillur Rahman dies |newspaper=bdnews24.com |date=20 March 2013|access-date=20 March 2013}}</ref> after he was flown to the country by an [[air ambulance]] for critical lung infection on 10 March. It followed his admission to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) at Dhaka cantonment the previous day, which was his 84th birthday.<ref name=fpost20mar>{{cite news|title=Bangladesh president Zillur Rahman dies in Singapore|url=http://www.firstpost.com/world/bangladesh-president-dies-in-singapore-668696.html|access-date=21 March 2013|newspaper=First Post|date=20 March 2013}}</ref> In Singapore, he had been undergoing treatment for kidney and respiratory problems since 11 March.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-21855904|title=Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman dies after illness |newspaper=BBC|access-date=20 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/president-zillur-rahman-no-more|title=President Zillur Rahman no more|date=5 March 2013|newspaper=The Daily Star|access-date=20 March 2013}}</ref> Bangladesh's High Commissioner in Singapore Mahbub Uz Zaman announced: "The president died at a hospital here in Singapore at 6:47 pm local time."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.livemint.com/Specials/lntPQQ5mMXfBIAmGQF7RJK/Bangladesh-president-dies-in-Singapore-embassy.html |title=Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman dies|newspaper=Livemint|access-date=20 March 2013}}</ref> At the time of his death his children were with him. In his absence, Parliamentary Speaker [[Abdul Hamid (politician)|Abdul Hamid]] was appointed as acting president on 14 March. A presidential spokesman later announced that Hamid has declared three days of [[national mourning]].<ref name="bssnews1">{{cite news|url=http://www1.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=320228&date=2013-03-20|title=Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS)|publisher=BSS News|date=20 March 2013|access-date=20 March 2013}}</ref> He was buried in Dhaka's [[Banani graveyard]].<ref name="grave"/>

In reaction to his death, Prime Minister [[Sheikh Hasina]]'s immediate response was to express profound shock and that the death was "an irreparable loss to the country and its people," according to her Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad.<ref name="bssnews1"/> In 2013, Hasina declared that the Mirpur-Airport Road Flyover will be named after him.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/mirpur-airport-flyover-opens-to-public|title=Mirpur-Airport flyover opens to public|date=2013-03-27|work=The Daily Star|access-date=2018-07-26|language=en}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Commons category|Zillur Rahman}}
{{BangladeshPresidents}}
{{Bangladesh Awami League}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rahman, Zillur}}
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:2013 deaths]]
[[Category:Awami League politicians]]
[[Category:Presidents of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:7th Jatiya Sangsad members]]
[[Category:8th Jatiya Sangsad members]]
[[Category:Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives ministers]]
[[Category:Burials at Banani Graveyard]]
[[Category:People from Kishoreganj District]]
[[Category:Bangladesh Krishak Sramik Awami League executive committee members]]

Zillur Rahman - Revision history

Bot at 13:02, 11 December 2022

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