Abdul Mazid Photo

Abdul Mazid Photo (July 10 1955 - July 23 2024) was a Bangladeshi freedom fighter, Awami League politician, lawyer, and philanthropist. He served as the Chairman of the Upazila Parishad in Saturia, Manikganj, as well as the Senior Vice President of the Manikganj District Awami League, and was an active member of the Bangladesh Awami League National Committee.
He was also a soldier in the Kader Bahini, during the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971.
==Early life==
Abdul Mazid Photo was born on July 10, 1955, in Manikganj, East Bengal, Pakistan (now Manikganj, Bangladesh).
He joined the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, in 1968 and actively participated in the 1969 East Pakistan mass uprising.
Mazid also campaigned for the Awami League during the 1970 Pakistani general election.
==Military service==
Abdul Mazid Photo was a soldier in the Kader Bahini under Abdul Kader Siddique, fighting for independence and the foundation of a sovereign Bangladesh.
==Political Career==
===Student Leadership===
In early 1976, Abdul Mazid Photo, alongside Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Joint General Secretary of the Bangladesh Awami League, campaigned across the various halls of Dhaka University in favor of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman following his assassination. 
In late November 1976, following a decision to build a student movement against Ziaur Rahman, Abdul Mazid Photo, then VP of Manikganj Government Debendra College University, and VPs from 17 other major colleges and universities were arrested, tortured, and detained for months. During this time, he was held with Obaidul Quader, now the General Secretary, and participated in meetings with Awami League leaders. Abdul Mazid Photo was released from jail in 1977
1977: Re-elected as VP of Manikganj Government Debendra College Student Union and served as convener of Manikganj District Chhatra League.
1979: Elected as Vice President of the Manikganj Government Debendra College Student Union for the third time and served as convener of the Manikganj District Chhatra League.
===Political Challenges and Activism===
Mazid became a member of the Executive Committee of the Manikganj District Awami League in 1986.
The anti-autocracy movement peaked in 1987, fueled by widespread dissatisfaction with Hussain Muhammad Ershad's military regime. The movement, sponsored by numerous political parties, student organizations, and civil society organizations, demanded the restoration of democratic governance and the abolition of authoritarian authority. It involved nationwide protests, marches, and acts of civil disobedience.
Abdul Mazid Photo was an important member of the Manikganj District Awami League at the time. His dedication to the movement was demonstrated by his participation in marches and rallies calling for the fall of Ershad's dictatorship. His role was strong enough to make him a target of the authorities.
===1987 Imprisonment===
Mazid was detained in 1987 and subjected to torture as part of the regime's crackdown against the anti-autocracy movement. He was subjected to physical torture and terrible conditions, making him the only well-known figure in Manikganj District to be targeted in this manner. This reatment revealed the regime's measures for suppressing dissent and political opposition.
"I was arrested during the anti-autocracy movement, subjected to inhumane torture, and imprisoned for months." - Abdul Mazid Photo
===Struggles and Advocacy (1991-2003)===
In 1991, despite getting the most votes, Abdul Mazid Photo was chosen Organizational Secretary of the Manikganj District Awami League rather than General Secretary due to interference. He continued to strengthen the party and lead anti-BNP-Jamaat movements, maintaining faith in the principles of Bangabandhu, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and Sheikh Hasina.
===Leadership and Key Roles===
2003-2015: Served as the Joint General Secretary of Manikganj District Awami League.
Abdul Mazid Photo was elected as the Upazilla Chairman of Saturia Upazila in 2009 by a large margin of votes and sucessfully carried out his responsibilities until the end of his term in 2014.
During the Manikganj District Awami League’s triennial council on January 17, 2015, Abdul Mazid Photo and Golam Mohiuddin were candidates for the position of President for the Manikganj District Awami League. Ahmed Hossein, Organizational Secretary of the Bangladesh Awami League Central Committee, and Zahid Malek, both communicated that Sheikh Hasina preferred Golam Mohiuddin for the role. Despite significant support from local leaders and workers for Abdul Mazid Photo, he withdrew his candidacy out of respect for Sheikh Hasina’s wishes, believing her instructions were to appoint Golam Mohiuddin as President.
===Later Career===
Mazid's later years were marked by continued dedication to his political career and public service. 
Mazid served as Senior Vice President of the Manikganj District Awami League from 2016 until his death in 2024.
In addition to his local commitments, Mazid's influence extended to the national level. In 2023, he was appointed as a member of the National Committee of the Bangladesh Awami League. He served in this capacity until his passing in 2024, demonstrating his dedication to the party and its principles. 
In 2019, Abdul Mazid Photo was elected as the Upazila Chairman of Saturia Upazila for a second term and served until 2024. He declined a third term and withdrew from the elections upon the recommendation of family and friends due to his deteriorating health. 
==Legal Contributions==
2018-2019: served as the elected President of Manikganj District Bar Association.
2019-2020: Re-elected and served as the President of Manikganj District Bar Association for the second time.
==Philanthropic Activities==
Mazid served as the Chairman of the Manikganj Chapter of ADAB (Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh), an organization of all NGOs in Bangladesh, for five years. 
Abdul Mazid Photo made contributions to his community through his philanthropic efforts. He built Railla Abdul Mazid Photo Adarsha High School and, constructed a mosque, a graveyard, and madrasa. 
==Legacy==
Abdul Mazid Photo's legacy is defined by his dedication to democratic ideas, and his services to the community. As a politician and freedom fighter.
"For over 54 years in politics, I have never deviated from Bangabandhu's ideals. I have remained on the streets with leaders and workers, risking my life in all movements and struggles, and staying close to the grassroots leaders and workers of Awami League in Manikganj district. I was arrested when the anti-autocracy movement and the movement against the BNP-Jamaat coalition government reached its peak; no one else from Manikganj District Awami League was arrested. Only I was arrested, inhumanely tortured, and detained in prison for months during the regimes of Bangabandhu's killer Zia, autocrat Ershad, and the BNP-Jamaat coalition government. Only my house and chamber were vandalized, and my car was set on fire. During the anti-autocracy movement and the movement against the BNP-Jamaat coalition government, BNP-Jamaat terrorists and the police beat me, injuring my entire body. I have never done anything that would tarnish the party's image or harm the party; nothing that would embarrass Bangabandhu's daughter, people's leader, jewel of the country Sheikh Hasina. In Manikganj, those who risked their lives in movements and struggles to bring the party to power are neglected by the top party leaders of the district, causing resentment. Irregularities, corruption, looting, election business, committee business at various levels, taking money from children of BNP and Jamaat for jobs, and taking large sums of money monthly from Manikganj's sand quarries, Aricha-Paturia ferry terminal, and Manikganj district's transport sector by those in the main leadership have severely tarnished the party's image." - Abdul Mazid Photo
Category:1955 births
Category:2024 deaths
Category:Awami League politicians
Category:Lawyers
Category:Philanthropists
Category:Bangladeshi people