Jahanara imam biography of barack

Shahriar Kabir

Jahanara Imam is the first person to unite every power associated with the liberation war - be it a political, social or cultural force – under a single umbrella. She was able to do so through raising the demand to punish war criminals and working towards the realisation of the spirit of liberation. Bangabandhu was the only other person who was able to bring the whole nation together through his call for liberation. 

After the Liberation War, the various forces associated with it were at loggerheads over different issues. Jahanara Imam would always say that the forces against Bangladesh's liberation, those involved in fundamentalism and extremism, have been successful in thriving in the country because of the lack of unity between those who fought for independence. She would say that there's no need to think that they have huge public support backing them. That's why she had taken the initiative to unite every organisation that was in favour of the Liberation War. And she was successful in doing that. There were prior initiatives to bring together the various pro-liberation agencies but the endeavours were unsuccessful. 

She possessed the rare quality to lead people. She was the only person who could command Sheikh Hasina. She would call the prime minister up and say that she needed help with manpower support at a programme or some other kind of political assistance, and the now PM would oblige. 

Every force working for the Liberation War would arrive at Jahanara Imam's call. Individuals or organisations that couldn't even bear to come face to face, would all come under one banner, thanks to the leadership of Jahanara Imam. Her success conquered borders. The success of Gono Adalat  led to a documentary film made in Japan, on the civil society movement, highlighting Jahanara Imam. Even they were amazed that half a million people were brought together in one place under the leadership of a housewife,

Today marks the 88th birth anniversary of Jahanara Imam, popularly known as “Shaheed Janani” (mother of martyrs), coordinator of the Ghatak-Dalal Nirmul Committee. The response of the youth in the social media on her birthday depicts a very positive scenario of the growing consciousness about the Liberation War, the collective struggle of 1971, which resulted the Bangladeshi and national identity. The youth of Bangladesh, for the most part, carry a fervent zeal about the glorious history of the nation that happened long before they were born.Born in 1929, Jahanara Imam mothered two valiant sons, the elder of whom epitomized the sacrifice and valour of young Bangladeshis in 1971. Her memoirs of the 1971 Liberation War were published in 1986 as a book named “Ekattorer Dinguli” (Days of 71). The immediate bestseller won the hearts of everyone and was translated by Mustafizur Rahman under the title of “Of Blood and Fire.”Jahanara went on to become a national symbol of justice and wisdom when she fronted a major campaign to bring war criminals to justice in 1992. Her rare quality to lead people strengthened the demand to punish war criminals and work towards the realisation of the spirit of liberation since the independence of Bangladesh

Bangladeshi writer and political activist

Jahanara Imam (3 May 1929 – 26 June 1994) was a Bangladeshi writer and political activist. She is known for her efforts to bring those accused of committing war crimes in the Bangladesh Liberation War to trial. She has been called "Shaheed Janani" (Mother of Martyrs).

Biography

Imam was born on 3 May 1929 in Murshidabad, West Bengal, British India, the eldest daughter in a family of three brothers and four sisters. Her father, Syed Abdul Ali, was a civil servant in the Bengal Civil Service. She lived in many different parts of Bengal – wherever her father was posted. Her mother was Hamida Ali. At that time there was a lot of social pressure against Muslim women pursuing further studies, but Hamida was determined that Jahanara's education would not be constrained.

After finishing her studies in 1945 in Carmichael College in Rangpur, Imam went to Lady Brabourne College of Calcutta University and in 1947 obtained her bachelor's degree. She was an activist in Lady Brabourne College. After the partition of India, she joined her family in Mymensingh in what became East Pakistan and started teaching at Vidyamoyee Govt. Girls High School.

In 1948, she married Sharif Imam, a civil engineer, whom she met in Rangpur while studying at Carmichael College. They settled in Dhaka and she joined Siddheswari Girls' School as head mistress. She was instrumental in transforming the school into one of the top girls' schools in Dhaka.

She was the first editor of the monthly women's magazine, Khawateen. It started publication in 1951 and she ran it for several years. In 1960, Imam gave up her job as the head mistress to concentrate on bringing up her two sons Rumi and Jami born in 1951 and 1954 respectively. She said to herself "I have given education to t

Jahanara Imam (3 May 1929 – 26 June 1994) was a Bangladeshi writer and political activist. She is known for her efforts to bring those accused of committing war crimes in the Bangladesh Liberation War to trial. She has been called "Shaheed Janani" (Mother of Martyrs).

Biography

Imam was born on 3 May 1929 in Murshidabad, West Bengal, British India, the eldest daughter in a family of three brothers and four sisters. Her father, Syed Abdul Ali, was a Civil Servant in the Bengal Civil Service. She lived in many different parts of Bengal – wherever her father was posted. Her mother was Hamida Ali. At that time there was a lot of social pressure against Muslim women pursuing further studies, but Hamida was determined that Jahanara's education would not be constrained.

After finishing her studies in 1945 in Carmichael College in Rangpur, Imam went to Lady Brabourne College of Calcutta University and in 1947 obtained her bachelor's degree. She was an activist in Lady Brabourne College. After the partition of India, she joined her family in Mymensingh in what became East Pakistan and started teaching at Vidyamoyee Govt. Girls High School.

In 1948, she married Shariful Alam Imam Ahmed, a civil engineer, whom she met in Rangpur while studying at Carmichael College. They settled in Dhaka and she joined Siddheswari Girls School as Head Mistress. She was instrumental in t