A. T. M. Wali Ashraf

A. T. M. Walie Ashraf
Member of Bangladesh Parliament
Personal details
Born	8 September 1937 Domrakandi, Bancharampur, Brahmanbaria
Died	19 November 1994,Dhaka, Bangladesh CMH Hospital
Political party	Bangladesh Nationalist Party

A. T. M. Walie Ashraf was a Bangladesh Nationalist Party politician and the former Member of Parliament of Brahmanbaria-6.

Born on 8 September 1937, in the village of Domrakandi, Bancharampur, Brahmanbaria, Ashraf was the second of eight children and oldest son. His father, Atiq Ullah, worked for the Railways Ministry and was based initially in Kolkata. His mother, Nurjahan Begum, was the daughter of the local Zamindar. His parents also had four other children who died at birth.

Ashraf was reportedly an energetic child, who possessed leadership qualities. This was quickly recognized by his maternal uncle, Dr. Shamsul Alam of Gouripur, when he visited his sister's house. Alam's devotion to education and civic reform remained a constant influence on the life and philosophy of Ashraf. Ashraf left his parent's home to live with his uncle at age 7. When he turned 16, he graduated from school and went on to study at B M College in Barisal. He was then admitted to University of Dhaka at the Department of Bengali.

Pak Students Work Camp Association/Editor of the Mission (Monthly Bulletin)

At Dhaka University, Ashraf was the Secretary General of Pak Students Work Camp Association and the Editor of the Mission, the Monthly Bulletin of the Pak Students Work Camp Association. He was a student of SM Hall, Dhaka University. The Pak Students Work Camp Association was formed on 7 April 1963.

Faqir (Beggars) Samity

Together with young Bengali students, Ashraf led this socio cultural group of going around Bengali expats residences in England, singing traditional songs. After a singing repertoire, dinner would be made by the host and consumed.

Janomot First Bengali Newsweekly

He played a pivotal role in London during the Bangladesh Independence War in 1971. It was his Bengali newsweekly, Janomot (established in London, 21 February 1969, the first Bengali newspaper printed outside Bangladesh) that motivated Bengalis living in London to fight for Independence. A.T.M. Walie Ashraf was the Founder Editor of Janomot newsweekly which began in his home at 2 Temperley Road, Balham, London. The Janomot Office was later shifted to 80 Hearnville Road, London.

His residence at 2 Temperley Road, London was also the birthplace of the first Bangladesh Biman Office (Bangladesh airlines) in London.

In 60s/70s, A T M Walie Ashraf, Zakaria Ahmed and other Bengalis scared the Pakistani rulers while sitting in London. He spoke about the independence of this country sitting in London. He occupied the Pakistan High Commission building and announced the independence of Bengal. He was the first to take the initiative to save Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from the Agartala conspiracy case.In the face of their strong agitation and resistance, Pakistan President Field Marshal Ayub Khan, who was visiting Pakistan, escaped through the back door of the hotel.

Bangladesh Students Action Committee

In London, the Bangladesh Students Action Committee was pivotal in garnering support of the Bengali expat community and of the international community. Mohammad Hossain Monju was convener of the Students’ Action Committee for the War of Liberation in UK. Nazrul Islam and Khondakar Mosharraf Hossain, Shamsuddin Choudhury Manik (later justice of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh), Minhaj Uddin, were active members of the action committee. It played a very important role in inspiring and coordinating activities of expatriate Bangladeshis for strengthening of liberation publicity and lobbying in the west, especially Europe.

Career

A T M Walie Ashraf was a Bengali newscaster on BBC Bangla World Service, London.

A T M Walie Ashraf was first elected to Parliament from Brahmanbaria-6 as an Independent Member of Parliament in 1988.

A T M Walie Ashraf was secondly elected to Parliament from Brahmanbaria-6 as a Bangladesh Nationalist Party candidate in 1991.

Mr. Walie Ashraf, our Committee Member, on the request of the Government of Bangladesh, attended the World Assembly for Peace held in Budapest as a delegate from Bangladesh. Incidentally, the World Assembly for Peace was the first international forum where Bangladesh was allowed to participate. (page 183)

Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain and Nazrul Islam went to Holland at the invitation of the Friends of Bangladesh in Holland to attend a Press Conference. Mr. Walie Ashraf also attended the same conference as the representative of Justice A. S. Chowdhury. They formed Europa Committee and they also visited Belgium to seek and solicit support for Bangladesh. (page 183)