Bangladesh President Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid takes oath for second term.

President Md Abdul Hamid yesterday took oath as the head of state for the second consecutive term at a ceremony held at the Bangabhaban. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury administered his oath of office in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, among other dignitaries, at the Darbar Hall of Bangabhaban.

The ceremony saw Abdul Hamid signing the oath of office after he was sworn in by the Speaker, while the cabinet secretary conducted the function.Wearing a black Mujib coat and a white panjabi, Hamid along with the Speaker entered the Darbar Hall at 7:38pm. A military band played ceremonial music at that time.The president exchanged greetings with guests after he was sworn in.

The premier, her sister Sheikh Rehana and Leader of the Opposition RaushanErshad greeted him with flowers. After the oath-taking ceremony, the premier exchanged pleasantries with the invited guests.

A veteran politician and parliamentarian, Abdul Hamid appeared as the country’s 21st president, 77 days after the Election Commission declared him elected to the presidency unopposed for the highest office.

This was the first time in the country that any person became the president for the second consecutive term.

He was earlier elected member of parliament for seven times since the country’s independence in 1971.

Around 800 distinguished guests including Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, parliamentary opposition leader Raushan Ershad, cabinet members, PM’s advisers, and diplomats witnessed the ceremony.

Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid was born on 1 January 1944 in Kamalpur of MithamoinUpazila under Kishoregonj district. His father’s name is Late Hazi Md. TayebUddin and mother’s name is Late TomizaKhatun.

Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid passed the Matriculation from Nikhli G.C. High School. He obtained both I.A. and B.A. degree from Gurudayal College of Kishoregonj and L.L.B degree from Central Law College under the University of Dhaka. After completion of his education, he engaged himself in the profession of law.

Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid started his political career in 1959 by joining the then student front Chatra League. He was actively involved in the Student Movement in 1961 and while studying in college, he participated in the activities of anti Aiub movement. He strongly opposed the report of HamoodurRahman Education Commission in 1962. Due to his participation in these activities of Student Movement, he was imprisoned by the then Pakistani Government. He was elected General Secretary of the Students’ Union of Gurudayal College of Kishoregonj in 1962-63 and Vice President of the Students’ Union of the same college in 1965-66. He became the Founder President of Kishoregonj Sub-division unit Chatra League in 1964 and he was also elected Vice-President of Mymensingh district unit Chatra League in 1966-67. He had to embrace imprisonment again in 1968 as he led the student movement. He joined Awami League at the end of 1969.

Mr.  Hamid directly participated in our great Liberation war in 1971. As per the instructions of Bangabandhu, on the eve of the turmoil period of March 1971, he started mobilizing the public movement in Kishoregonj in favour of attaining the independence of the motherland. As pursuant to this trend, on 17 March he hoisted the national flag embedded with the map of independent Bangladesh in a massive gathering of thousands of people of all classes at the RathKhola field of Kishoregonj.

In the early hours of 26 March, when the Liberation War was declared, after getting that message in the morning by telegram, he actively participated in it. Subsequently, in the early April 1971, with a view to meeting the expenditures to be incurred for conducting Liberation war, he along with the assistance of Bengali military officials, collected Tk. 11.78 crores from Kishoregonj, Bhairab and Bazitpur branch of the National Bank and ultimately that amount was deposited in the Brahmanbaria branch of the same Bank which was considered safe at that time..

Afterwards, Mr. Hamid went to Agartola of India to participate directly in the Liberation War. At that time, most of the Members of Parliament of greater Chittagong, Noakhali and Comilla were staying there. He discussed with them regarding various strategies and aspects of Liberation War. Simultaneously, he interacted and shared ideas with the local public representatives and high government officials of Agortola. In the late April, he returned to Bangladesh and again went to Tekarhat of Meghalaya, Gumaghat, Panchara and reached Ballat inside Moilam with his several associates. He set up Youth Reception Camp for those who came from Bangladesh to participate in the liberation war and he was the Chairman of that camp. Mainly, primary selection of the freedom fighters was done there especially for the people coming from Kishoregonj, Netrokona and Sunamgonj to participate in the Liberation war. He was also one of the important members of Zonal Administrative Council, which was formed to administer the Liberation war and to ensure the better management of the refugees.

While performing the responsibilities of the Chairman of Recruiting Camp in Meghalaya of India, he also acted in different important capacities including the commander of the sub-sector of Bangladesh Liberation Force (MujibBahini) comprising the then Kishoregonj and Sunamgonj District. He took up all these responsibilities throughout the period of Liberation war. After the victory of Liberation war on 16 December, he organized several meetings in different camps at Meghalaya to inspire the refugees to come back home. After completion of repatriation of the refugees, he returned home on 10 January 1972.

After liberation, Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid performed the responsibilities of the Chairman of Kishoregonj District Relief & Rehabilitation Committee. In 1974, he was elected Vice-President of Kishoregonj District Awami League. After the brutal assassination of the Father of The Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh MujiburRahman, he was imprisoned by the then Martial Law and BNP Government in 1976-78. He was the President of Kishoregonj District Awami League from 1978 to 2009 as well as the President of Kishoregonj District Bar Association for 5 times during the period of 1990-96.

As an ardent social worker and patron of education and culture, Mr. Md Abdul Hamid  established 75 Primary Schools, 24 High Schools and 3 colleges including MithamoinTomizaKhatun Girls’ High School, Mithamoin Boys’ High School, Mithamoin College. He is the patron of a good number of Schools, Colleges and Madrashas in his constituency including Astogram College, Mithamoin Degree College, TomizaKhatun Girls’ High School, Alongzuri High School, Itna Girls’ High School, Baribari High School, Abdullahpur High School, Abdul Wadud High School, Kishoregonj Girls’ High School, Dhonpur High School, ShahidSmrity High School, Mohantala High School and Ghagra Abdul Goni High School and many other junior level Schools &Madrashas.

Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid had been the member of the Sustainable Development Committee of Inter Parliamentary Union (I.P.U.) during 1997-2000 as well as the member of the executive committee of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (C.P.A.) in 1999-2001. Again he had been the member of the executive committee of I.P.U. as well as the executive member of C.P.A. during 2010-2012. He is the executive and life member of Kishoregonj District Public Library. He is also honoured with the life membership of Kishoregonj District Shilpakala Academy, Kishoregonj Red Crescent Society and Kishoregonj Rifles Club. He is the honorary Member of Kishoregonj Press Club and associated with many social and cultural organizations.

In the National Assembly Election of 1970, Mr. Hamid was elected as a junior most member from Mymensingh-18 Constituency. In 1972, he became the member of National Assembly.

In the first Parliamentary Election held on 07 March 1973, he was elected Member of Parliament from Kishoregonj-5 constituency. He was elected Member of Parliament as Bangladesh Awami League nominee in the third Parliamentary Election held on 07 May 1986, fifth General Election held on 27 February 1991, Seventh Parliamentary Election held on 12 June 1996 and eighth Parliamentary Election held on 01 October 2001, He was lastly elected Member of Parliament in the ninth Parliamentary Election held on 29 December 2008.

Mr. Hamid was unanimously elected Deputy Speaker in the Seventh Parliament and he discharged this responsibility from 13July 1996 to 10 July 2001. Afterwards, he was elected Speaker and performed this responsibility during 12 July 2001 to 28 October 2001. In the Eighth Parliament, he acted as the Deputy Leader of the Opposition from 01 November 2001 to 27 October 2006.

In the ninth Parliamentary Election held on 29 December 2008, he was elected Member of Parliament as a nominee of Bangladesh Awami League. He was elected Speaker in the ninth Parliament and performed his responsibility effectively and efficiently. In the ninth Parliament, he also discharged his duties as the Chairman of Working Advisory Committee, Standing Committee for Rules and Procedures, Standing Committee for Special Rights and the Petition Committee.

Wide travelled Mr. Hamid visited many countries of the world to attend different meetings, seminars, symposiums and conferences. He visited U.S.A, U.K., Russia, Canada, India, Gibraltar, Barbados, Egypt, Singapore, Pakistan, UAE, Thailand, Morocco, Saudi-Arabia, South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, Switzerland, Hong-Kong, Kuwait, Iran, Korea, Mongolia, China, Sweden, Fiji, Australia, Kiribati, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Maldives, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Pakistan, Japan, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Nauru.

For his outstanding contribution in our Independence and Liberation War, Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid was conferred the Independence Award-2013.

Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid took the responsibility of President in- charge on 14 March 2013 while the then President Mr. Md. ZillurRahman was under treatment in Singapore. After the death of Mr. Md. ZillurRahman, he became the Acting President on 20 March 2013. Later on, Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid was elected  President  of Bangladesh on 22 April 2013 and sworn in as the President on 24 April 2013.

Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid is a kind hearted, sympathetic and cordial man and by nature, he is reluctant to self-exposure. He is respected to all for his natural charming and friendly behaviour.

Mr. Md. Hamid is married and he is father of three sons and one daughter.

He has an ardent interest in reading books of history and constitution of different countries and national and international political affairs.