Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain, a hero of our time, has set an example that needs to be followed by the country’s youngsters. He showed indomitable courage risking his life to protest the worst act of inhumanity. He has become the source of inspiration to all, especially our young generation. His sacrifice will help prevail good sense in our youths who will lead the nation in the years to come.
The peace-loving people will feel proud of Faraaz and will be indebted to the mother who gave birth to him. The attack of terrorists on Holey Artisan cafe in the capital’s Gulshan area on July 1, 2016 is one of the darkest chapters in the history of Bangladesh. However, in through that darkness the story of silver lined ray of hope and courage has been written in the chronicles of human saga. Faraaz Ayaaz Hossain is an inspiration and a symbol of undaunted courage for the nation.
Faraaz, 20, son of Simeen Hossain and Waquer Hossain, and a meritorious student of Emory University in Atlanta, USA, gave his life by refusing to heed the barbaric threats of the terrorists. He had the option to come out unscathed from the café where he was with friends Abinta Kabir, an American citizen of Bangladesh origin, and Tarishi Jain from India.
But instead he showed empathy and camaraderie and stuck with his friends. Like Martin Luther King Jr said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that.” And the light of Faraaz is the light that will guide the people of Bangladesh to a better future. His principles of being steadfast and strong against evil is what Bangladeshis need most in this time and age where extremism has spread its dark shadow everywhere.
Despite knowing the risks that he had to face and the threat to his life he had to overcome and stood his ground. Such glorious selfless examples of sacrifice have been seen in the history of Bangladesh before and we will see such people be born in future too but at present what we as a sovereign nation have to do is follow examples of the likes of Faraaz.
Bangladeshis are peace loving people and as peace loving people we want harmony in our lives. And it was this harmony and peace which the terrorists tried to disrupt and bring chaos into our lives. This is nothing but an example of medieval barbarism. And this similar medieval practice of barbarism is what they tried to bring back into the country.
But the Bangladesh government and the law enforcing agencies have developed greatly. The result of this development was seen in action during the dark hours of Holey Artisan attack. Their efforts bore fruit during the counter terrorism actions which took place at Gulshan and as a result, the terror was so easily subverted.
We have learnt a lot from this tragic chapter in our history. But we will not be daunted. We have to follow examples of Faraaz Hossain who stood up in time of need. More importantly, our young people have a lot to learn from the courage and bravery displayed by Faraaz only then can Bangladesh become a sovereign nation in the truest of sense.
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