Mahfuza Khanam | |
|---|---|
মাহফুজা খানম | |
 Khanam (far-right) accepting award fromMohiuddin Ahmed in 1967 | |
| President ofAsiatic Society of Bangladesh | |
| In office 22 January 2018 – 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Amirul Islam Chowdhury |
| Succeeded by | Khondoker Bazlul Hoque |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1946-04-14)14 April 1946[1] Calcutta,Bengal Province, British India |
| Died | 12 August 2025(2025-08-12) (aged 79) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Spouse | Shafique Ahmed (m. 1969) |
Mahfuza Khanam (14 April 1946 – 12 August 2025) was a Bangladeshi academic and social activist. She was the president ofAsiatic Society of Bangladesh from 2018 to 2021.[2] She was awardedBegum Rokeya Padak (2012),Anannya Top Ten Awards (2013) andEkushey Padak (2021)[3][4][1]
Khanam was born on 14 April 1946 inCalcutta,Bengal Province, British India[5] to Mustafizur Rahman Khan and Saleha Khanam.[6]
She attended Bangla Bazar Girls’ School and graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in physics fromUniversity of Dhaka in 1966 and 1967.[5]
As a student, Khanam became the vice-president ofDhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU).[7] In 2009, Khanam served as the General Secretary ofAsiatic Society of Bangladesh.[8]
Khanam served as the director general of Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education.[9] She served as the chairperson ofKhelaghar Ashor, an organisation for children.[10][11] She was also the president of several organisations includingManikganj Samity in Dhaka,Peshajibi Nari Samaj (Professional Women Society) andFederation of World Teachers' Association (FWTA).[12][13][14] She was a vice-president on the executive committee of the Itihas Academy.[15] She also served as 15th Principal of Manikgonj Government Women's College,Manikgonj.[16]
In 1969, she marriedShafique Ahmed,[5] a barrister and a former minister of law[17] and had three children.[5]
Mahfuza died on 12 August 2025, at the age of 79, after collapsing while swimming at theOfficers Club, Dhaka.[5][18]
Begum Mahfuza Khanom was awardedEkushey Padak, the second highest civilian award inBangladesh. In 2021, The Ministry of Cultural Affairs gave the award to 21 distinguished citizens of the country for outstanding contributions in their respective fields.[19] She got the award for contributions in education.