Ziaur Rahman’s Independence Award restored as government announces seven new honorees

In a major announcement, the government has decided to reinstate the Independence Award that was once taken away from the late President Ziaur Rahman. 

The decision has stirred much attention, as the award will now be given to seven prominent individuals for their exceptional contributions to the country.

The Cabinet Division issued an official statement on Tuesday, confirming that the government had reversed its previous stance. 

The award, which had been withdrawn in 2016 by the then Awami League-led government, will now be officially restored to Ziaur Rahman’s legacy.

The seven distinguished individuals honored with the prestigious 2025 Independence Award include:

• Professor Jamal Nazrul Islam, a renowned scientist
• Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, the founder of BRAC
• Badruddin Umar, a respected writer and intellectual
• Al Mahmud, the celebrated poet
• Novera Ahmed, one of the key designers of the Central Shaheed Minar
• Azam Khan, the legendary pop musician
• Abrar Fahad, a BUET student who tragically died after being tortured by members of the banned Chhatra League in October 2019.

The posthumous recognition of Abrar Fahad highlights the tragic event that shook the nation and remains a focal point for human rights discussions in Bangladesh.

In a historical context, the decision to strip Ziaur Rahman’s Independence Award back in 2016 had led to the removal of his medal and certificate from the National Museum. 

However, with the restoration of the award, this action marks a new chapter in honoring his legacy.

This year‍‍`s selection of recipients is a mix of figures from various fields, from science and education to culture and politics, reflecting the diverse contributions that have shaped Bangladesh‍‍`s progress.