Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, born on March 17, 1920, was a prominent Bengali nationalist leader and the father of Sheikh Hasina.
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As a key figure in Bangladesh’s struggle for independence, Mujib served as both the president and prime minister of Bangladesh from April 1971 until his assassination in August 1975.
He is celebrated as the “Father of the Nation” in Bangladesh for his leadership in the independence movement and his role in restoring Bengali sovereignty after more than two centuries of British rule.
His contributions are formally recognized in the Bangladeshi constitution, which refers to him as the leader who declared independence. Mujibism, his socio-political ideology, remains influential in Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Meet Her Mother Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib
Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib, born on August 8, 1930, was the wife of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the mother of Sheikh Hasina.
She had Iraqi Arab ancestry through both her paternal and maternal lines, tracing her lineage back to Sheikh Abdul Awal Darwish of Baghdad, who arrived in Bengal during the Late Mughal Era.
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Fazilatunnesa played a significant role in supporting her husband’s political activities and was a central figure in the family’s life.
Family and Legacy
Sheikh Hasina, born on September 28, 1947, grew up in Tungipara before moving to Dhaka. The Mujib family’s tragic fate took a dramatic turn on August 15, 1975, when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of the family were assassinated during a military coup.
Sheikh Hasina and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, survived as they were visiting Europe at the time. The sisters took refuge in West Germany and later received political asylum in India.
Hasina’s return to Bangladesh came in 1981 after being elected President of the Awami League, marking the start of her long and influential political career.
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