Abdul Haque Faridi
Abul Farāḥ Muḥammad ʿAbdul Ḥaque Farīdī (25 May 1903 – 5 February 1996) was a Bangladeshi educator and author. In recognition of his contributions in the field of linguistics, he was awarded a Bangla Academy Fellowship.[1][2] Faridi was the founder of Islamic Foundation Bangladesh's Islami Bishwakosh (Islamic encyclopedia) project and also worked closely with Bangladesh Scouts.[3]
Abul Farah Muhammad Abdul Haque Faridi | |
---|---|
আবুল ফারাহ মুহাম্মদ আবদুল হক ফরিদী | |
Born | |
Died | February 5, 1996 92) | (aged
Nationality | Bangladeshi |
Alma mater | Dhaka University, University of Leeds, University of Illinois |
Occupation | Lecturer, educationist, author |
Known for | Islami Bishwakosh |
Notable work | Madrasa Shikkha: Bangladesh (1976) |
Home town | Naria |
Children | Ataul Haque |
Parents |
|
Family | Haque family |
Awards | Bangla Academy Fellowship |
Early life and education
Abdul Haque Faridi was born on 25 May 1903 in Paikpara, Naria, which was a part of the Faridpur district at the time (now in Shariatpur District). After receiving his primary education from a rural maktab, he passed the High Scheme entrance from the Reformed Scheme (also known as the New Scheme Madrasa system) in 1923 and subsequently the Islamic intermediate in 1925.[4] In both examinations, Faridi was one of the highest-scoring students in Bengal. He received a Bachelor of Science in 1928 from the Islamic Studies Department of the University of Dhaka and a master's degree in 1929. In 1933, he was awarded a first-class Master of Arts degree in Persian literature while still in the government workplace. He later earned a Diploma in Education from the University of Leeds in Billets and an Advanced Certificate in Education Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the United States of America.[2]
Career
Faridi started his career as a lecturer at the Chittagong College and later promoted to Educational Service, he served as the Assistant School Inspector of Muslim Education in Burdwan. He was also the first president of the Anjuman Mufidul Islam from 1947 to 1949.[5] He then retired as Director of Public Education in East Pakistan in 1966. After his retirement, Faridi served as Honorary Treasurer of Dhaka University for 6 years and also its acting vice-chancellor for some time.
Working closely with Islamic Foundation Bangladesh, Faridi translated many books. In 1976, he wrote a book on madrasa education titled Madrasa Shikkha: Bangladesh. Faridi was appointed Director General of Islamic Foundation Bangladesh on October 1977 for two years.[6] Faridi became the leading founder of the foundation's Islami Bishwakosh project, a 25-volume Islamic encyclopedia which would also have a concise version. As president of the encyclopedia's editorial board, 18 volumes were completed during Faridi's lifetime.[2]
Death and legacy
Abdul Haque Faridi died on 5 February 1996 in Dhaka.[2] His son, Ataul Haque, was the former Cabinet Secretary of Bangladesh from 18 January 1997 to 13 December 1998.[7]
References
- "বাংলা একাডেমি প্রদত্ত অন্যান্য পুরস্কার ও সম্মানসূচক ফেলোশিপপ্রাপ্ত বিশিষ্টজনের তালিকা" [List of other awardees and honorary fellowships awarded by the Bangla Academy]. Bangla Academy. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
- AKM Nurul Alam (2012). "Faridi, Abdul Haque". In Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- Muhammad Ramjul Huq (2012). "Bangladesh Scouts". In Islam, Sirajul; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
- The Islamic Quarterly. Islamic Cultural Centre. 47 (1–3): 132. 2003. Missing or empty
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(help) - Sirajul Islam, ed. (2003). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. 1. p. 217.
- "ইসলামিক ফাউন্ডেশন-মহাপরিচালকবৃন্দ". Islamic Foundation Bangladesh. Retrieved 15 February 2020.
- "জেলার ঐতিহ্য". Shariatpur District (in Bengali).