Eminent fiction writer, essayist, and Dhaka University Emeritus Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam passed away this evening while undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the capital. He was 74.

The news was confirmed by Majharul Islam, chief executive of the publishing house Anyaprokash, who said that the noted academic had been receiving treatment at LabAid Hospital and breathed his last around 5:00pm.

Born in 1951, Professor Islam taught for decades at the Department of English, University of Dhaka, where he inspired generations of students with his scholarship and creative vision.

A leading voice in contemporary Bangladeshi literature, he made remarkable contributions to fiction, literary criticism, and essays.

For his outstanding contribution to Bangla literature, Professor Islam was awarded the Bangla Academy Literary Award, the Ekushey Padak, and several other national honors.