MarEngr. Rafiqul Islam (3rd Engineer) on way to Almighty.

Alhaj Rafiqul Islam (commonly/Also known As ‘Fire Ostad’), ex-3rd Engineer of Bangladesh Shipping Corporation during 1980 to 2000s has breathed his last on Friday, 29 Jan 2021, after Fajr prayer at his son’s residence at Dhaka.

Inna Lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un
(We belong to Allah and to Him shall we return)

He was 81. He hailed from Gaibandha.
He was a gentle and a very dearly person among the Mariner generations during 1980 – 2000s. He was suffering from various old-age ailments and was in bed for last 3/4 years; also received a heart-stroke in July 2020. His wife also left about 3 years before. His sons are established in Dhaka, UK & in Australia.
I last met him with my batch-mate MarEngr. Hannan 15E in his the-then residence in Halishahar K-Block and thereafter talked over phone a few times.
During working in engine room of a ship, whenever he used to become successful, he used to shout out “Fire Fire”! And thus he became popularly known as Fire Ostad. May Allah bless our Rafiq bhai with jannatul ferdous.
He was a good man at heart, very popular among his colleague. Kindly keep him in your prayer.

Courtesy: Sajid Hussain (15E), Bangladesh Marine Academy Ref: His eldest son ‘Towhidur Rahan Swapan’ and Capt. Md. Arif Rayhan