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Writer and former press secretary to ex-Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, Maruf Kamal Khan, has congratulated newly elected President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. At the same time, he shared some personal memories of the storms he encountered in his life and how many well-wishers in the BNP distanced themselves from him during those difficult times.
In a social media post at around 2am on Thursday (August 20), Maruf Kamal Khan wrote about these bitter experiences, which stirred intense passion among the viewers .
The writer and journalist said, “A storm has passed over me. No one even kept track of me. That is why I withdrew into myself. I stayed away from everyone. Cancer, family disasters, extreme poverty, warrants in more than 150 false cases that forced me to live as a fugitive, and then secretly leaving for America for medical treatment to save my life…! After returning, I tried to remain out of sight.”
Recalling a memorable encounter with Mirza Fakhrul, he said that one day he attended an event at the invitation of retired Major General Fazle Elahi Akbar. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was the chief guest at the event.
“Seeing me from a distance, he came over to me. We exchanged greetings and shook hands. Holding my hand, he asked, ‘Have you decided not to keep in touch with me anymore?’”
Maruf Kamal said he could not control the emotions that had built up inside him.
“I said, ‘Why do you resort to such cleverness, brother? It does not suit a person like you. You people ignored me for a long time during the darkest days of my life. Did I ever complain?’”
He said Mirza Fakhrul’s eyes became tearful. In a choked voice, Fakhrul told him, “Please forgive me. If possible, stay in touch.”
Maruf Kamal said all his resentment disappeared in the face of Fakhrul’s humility.
“After that, how could I remain resentful? However, he is extremely busy—with the party, politics, elections and then the ministry. We occasionally meet at meetings and gatherings,” he wrote.
Speaking about his book, Maruf Kamal said his book ‘Rajnitir Sadore-Ondore’ was published in the meantime. He decided that Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir would unveil the book and serve as the chief guest at the publication ceremony. However, Fakhrul could not find the time, and several months passed.
“One day, I called him at noon and asked, ‘Do you not want to attend the publication ceremony of my book?’ He said, ‘I am in Thakurgaon now. Tomorrow I will be at the National Press Club in Dhaka for a discussion on the July uprising. You are also a speaker there. We will sit there, check my appointment diary and fix a date,’” Maruf Kamal recalled.
Accordingly, the next day Fakhrul instructed his APS Yunus Ali to find a suitable date and give it to Maruf. The event was scheduled for 10am on August 18, and Maruf Kamal began promoting it.
“But fate was against me. News spread that Mirza Saheb was going to become president. The schedule was announced as well. Later, I attended a seminar organised by the TV Editors Council, where Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was also the chief guest,” he said.
“I told him, ‘I did not come here to deliver a speech. I came to express my anxiety that, because of the protocols of the state, I might lose the chief guest of my book launch.’”
Information and Broadcasting Minister Jahir Uddin Swapan, whom Maruf described as a friend, jokingly responded, “Do you want to keep him from becoming president just to have him as your chief guest?”
Maruf Kamal said he replied with a smile, “I don’t need a chief guest. Let him become president.”
Journalists then surrounded him and asked whether Fakhrul was indeed going to become president.
“I said, ‘How can I say that?’” he recalled.
Ultimately, Maruf Kamal had to hold the book launch with a different chief guest. He expressed gratitude to Nazrul Islam Khan, who attended as the chief guest despite being ill.
“By the boundless grace of Allah, my event was extraordinarily successful. Due to the limited arrangements, I could not accommodate and entertain many of the guests who attended. I apologise to them. I am overwhelmed by your love,” he wrote.
He also thanked AB Bank and Faisal Morshed Khan for sponsoring the event and bearing its expenses.
Maruf Kamal said that on August 19, he learned that Fakhrul wanted a copy of his book. He signed it with a note of respect and handed it over. His publisher, Said Bari, took the book to Fakhrul’s official residence.
“Alamgir Bhai took a photo holding the book with Said Bari and his companion Delwar Hasan. He repeatedly said, ‘I deeply regret missing the event,’” Maruf Kamal wrote.
The very next day, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was elected president.
“Thank you, Alamgir Bhai. Congratulations. Best wishes,” Maruf Kamal wrote.
“Countless memories of our days of pain and joy are preserved in the deepest corners of both our hearts and will remain there. Perhaps no one will ever know many of these stories,” he added. “Stay well.”