Islam has written 32 books. He has established 27 educational institutions in Chittagong. He fought in the Bangladesh Liberation war and defended Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendra at Kalurghat. He was elected to parliament from Chittagong-8 on 29 December 2008. He was appointed as the Minister of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment on 14 July 2015. Islam was also the chairman of Sanowara group but recently his second son Saiful and third son Zahedul have taken over.