Kaisarul Islam Suman, a UK-based journalist and Birmingham Bureau Chief of ATN Bangla UK, has passed away, casting a pall of gloom over the British Bangladeshi media community.
He breathed his last at around 4:00am (Bangladesh time) on Wednesday, February 4, at his ancestral home in Mahdikona’s Master Bari under Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar district. He was 52.
Family sources said Suman had travelled to Bangladesh with his wife a few days earlier. On Wednesday, his wife returned to the United Kingdom, and shortly afterwards, Suman’s health deteriorated suddenly, leading to his death. Upon receiving the news, family members and relatives in the UK were left devastated. The bereaved family later decided to return to Bangladesh on Wednesday evening (UK time).
The late Suman was the son of Nazmul Islam. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, three brothers, two sisters, along with numerous colleagues, relatives and well-wishers.
Suman had been involved in journalism in the United Kingdom for nearly three decades. Throughout his career, he worked with dedication, professionalism and integrity for both local and international media outlets. At the time of his death, he was serving as the Birmingham Bureau Chief of ATN Bangla UK. To his colleagues, he was known as a responsible, supportive and dependable professional.
A social media post he made just hours before his death has since become an emotional reminder for fellow journalists and friends, deepening the sense of shock and unanswered questions surrounding his sudden passing.
Following his death, a sombre atmosphere has enveloped Birmingham’s Bangladeshi community. From Tuesday night until early Wednesday morning, fellow journalists gathered at his residence in Aston, where grief-stricken colleagues shared memories of their departed friend.
The London Bangla Press Club expressed deep condolences at Suman’s death. In a joint statement, its President Barrister Tareq Chowdhury and General Secretary Md Akramul Hossain prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family.
Condolences were also expressed by British MP Ayub Khan, Councillor Mumtaz Hossain, and several political and community leaders.
Saem Chowdhury, Head of News at ATN Bangla UK, said, “The sudden loss of Kaisarul Islam Suman is deeply painful for all of us. His absence will be felt not only at ATN Bangla UK but across the UK journalism community for a long time to come.”
