The city of Chittagong awoke to grief Sunday as Dr AZM Obaidullah, a towering figure in Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and a beloved patron of culture, passed away at 1:00am on Saturday in a private hospital.

The Central Majlis-e-Shura member and Nayeb-e-Ameer of Chittagong City unit Jamaat left behind a legacy of faith, scholarship, and service, mourned by thousands who gathered for his first Namaz-e-Janaza at Parade Maidan, led by his second son, Muaz Abrar.

A second prayer will follow in his native Char Fashion, Bhola, before his burial in the family graveyard.

Born in Char Fashion, Dr Obaidullah’s journey took him from Chittagong and Dhaka Universities to a Commonwealth Executive MBA, shaping a career that blended intellectual rigor with cultural devotion.

A motivational speaker and literary luminary, he edited Angikar Digest and Wheel Business Magazine, and penned cherished books like Tarun Tomar Mon and Swapner Thikana.

“His words inspired generations,” said literature professor Ayesha Begum, clutching a worn copy of his work at the funeral. His patronage extended to the Bangladesh Shishu Kalyan Parishad, where he served as Vice Chairman, and organizations like the Boys Scouts and Red Crescent.

Dr. Obaidullah’s academic imprint was profound as the founding registrar and recent director of the International Islamic University-Chittagong. “He built bridges between faith and learning,” said Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohammad Ali Azadi, who joined dignitaries at the Namaz-e-Janaza, including Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Muhammad Shahjahan, and former MP Shahjahan Chowdhury. The gathering, marked by solemn prayers and shared memories, reflected his wide-reaching influence.

Known for his eloquence, Dr. Obaidullah championed Islamic values in Chittagong’s cultural sphere. Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, in a poignant Facebook post, lamented the loss of a “dear brother” whose leadership in the “Islamic trend in the cultural arena” was unmatched. “May Allah replace this hand with a better one,” he wrote, praying for eternal peace. Attendees like student activist Zahidul Islam recalled Obaidullah’s warmth: “He made us believe in service with purpose.”

As mourners processed through Chittagong’s streets, the weight of his absence was palpable. “He was our guide, our voice,” said Mosanna, his eldest son, standing beside community leaders like Professor Ahsanullah Bhuiyan and Principal Muhammad Nurul Amin. For Bhola native Fatima Akter, who traveled to honor him, Obaidullah was a symbol of hope. “His books taught me to dream big,” she said, tears falling.

Dr. Obaidullah’s life, woven with faith, culture, and education, leaves a void in Chittagong and beyond. As his family prepares for his final rites in Bhola, his words and deeds endure, a testament to a man who lived to uplift and inspire.