Abdul Haque Faridi | |
|---|---|
আবদুল হক ফরিদী | |
| President ofBangla Academy | |
| In office 14 July 1980 – 13 July 1982 | |
| Preceded by | Syed Ali Ahsan |
| Succeeded by | Abu Mohammed Habibullah |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1903-05-25)25 May 1903 |
| Died | 5 February 1996(1996-02-05) (aged 92) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Children | Ataul Haque |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Lecturer, educationist, author |
| Known for | Islami Bishwakosh |
| Awards | Bangla Academy Fellowship |
Abul Faraḥ Muḥammad Abdul 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 aBangla Academy Fellowship.[1][2] Faridi was the founder ofIslamic Foundation Bangladesh'sIslami Bishwakosh (Islamic encyclopedia) project and also worked closely withBangladesh Scouts.[3]
Abdul Haque Faridi was born on 25 May 1903 in Paikpara,Naria, which was a part of theFaridpur district at the time (now inShariatpur District). After receiving his primary education from a ruralmaktab, he was admitted to a reformed (or new scheme)[4] madrasa, passed the entrance examination in 1923, and subsequently the Islamic intermediate in 1925. In both examinations, Faridi was one of the highest-scoring students in Bengal. He received aBachelor of Science in 1928 from the Islamic Studies Department of theUniversity of Dhaka and a master's degree in 1929. In 1933, he was awarded a first-classMaster of Arts degree inPersian literature while still in the government workplace. He later earned aDiploma in Education from theUniversity of Leeds and an Advanced Certificate in Education Administration from theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the United States.[2]
Faridi started his career as a lecturer at theChittagong College and later promoted to Educational Service, he served as the Assistant School Inspector of Muslim Education inBurdwan. He was also the first president of theAnjuman Mufidul Islam from 1947 to 1949.[5] He then retired as Director ofPublic Education inEast 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 withIslamic Foundation Bangladesh, Faridi translated many books. In 1976, he wrote a book on madrasa education titledMadrasa Shikkha: Bangladesh. Faridi was appointed Director General of Islamic Foundation Bangladesh in October 1977 for two years.[6] Faridi became the leading founder of the foundation'sIslami 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]
Abdul Haque Faridi died on 5 February 1996 in Dhaka.[2] His son, Ataul Haque, served as theCabinet Secretary of Bangladesh from 18 January 1997 until 13 December 1998.[7]