Sir Frank Peters

It is with profound regret I read about the passing of distinguished former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University (DU) Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique.

What an individual and unique human being he was. A gentleman by any measuring device you care to use.

Nationwide, everyone knew him by image. He was not only the ‘face’ and ambassador of Dhaka University, but also the entire fraternity of universities nationwide. Universities worldwide would have been proud to have had him as their ambassador.

I was fortunate enough to have met with him on a number of occasions, shook his hand, chatted, and shared space with him at book launchings and sat together on a variety of panels.

I remember being introduced to him for the first time by Musa Ibrahim who had distinguished himself by bringing international glory to the nation by becoming the first Bengali to climb Mount Everest.

Musa with unbridled enthusiasm and utmost respect introduced the noble gentleman to me by saying:

“Sir Frank, this is Professor Arefin Siddique, the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University and one of the rarest breeds of gentlemen you’ll ever likely to meet in Bangladesh. He is loved and admired by all.”

I had never encountered an introduction of that calibre before and it completely overwhelmed me and endeared me even more towards Musa for having said it.

Perhaps a variation of Musa’s remarks ought be etched in gold on his tombstone: “Professor Arefin Siddique was a distinguished gentleman and a rare Bengali person who was loved and admired by all.”

May almighty Allah eternally reward him for the undoubted good he performed on earth and enriched the lives of many. His body has died, but his memory will live on in the hearts of thousands.

The writer is a, former newspaper and magazine publisher and editor, a humanitarian, and a human rights activist.