‘I will become a scientist when I grow up. I will make many names. Then people will recognize you as Noor’s parents, Noor’s sister’—this was the dream of 13-year-old Samiu Aman Noor. In a cruel twist of fate, her words came true; but not as a scientist. Noor, who lost her life as a victim of the violence unleashed by Sheikh Hasina, who was sentenced to death for atrocities and crimes against humanity, is known to people today as Shaheed Noor. Today, people remember her as Shaheed Noor—a brave teenager who gave her life in the moment of victory in the struggle for the rights of students and the public.
Born into a small family in the East Arichpur Ghazibari area of Tongi, Noor was the result of many prayers from her parents. She was studying in the seventh grade of Sirajuddin Sarkar Vidyaniketan. Loved by her teachers, a name of trust to her friends, and a most adorable treasure to her family, ‘Noor’ was a symbol of love and devotion.
His mother Shahanur Aman told Amar Desh that the name Noor was perfect for him. Like the name, so was his heart. He would pray, fast, and read the Quran. He would never quarrel with anyone. In short, he would just spread light.
However, that light stopped on the bloody afternoon of the historic 36th of July (5th August 2024). Earlier, on 19th July, Noor joined the movement with the students to make the ‘Complete Shutdown’ program called by the anti-discrimination student movement a success. That day, a rubber bullet hit her leg once. But she did not tell anyone at home. Even though she walked a little awkwardly, she walked with a smile, as if nothing had happened. Shahanur Aman said, Noor was at home in the morning of 5th August, 2024. In the afternoon, the news came that the autocratic Hasina had fled the country. Noor was overwhelmed with joy at this news. She shouted happily and called her father and told him, ‘Sheikh Hasina has fled, come quickly’. After that, she did not delay any longer. On the news of the victory, she took to the victory procession with her friends on the bustling streets.
At around 3 pm, Noor left for Dhaka with the victory procession through Uttara. The sky and air above the flyover were filled with the slogans of millions of people. At that time, the police-Chhatra League-Awami League terrorists were firing from the rooftops of Uttara West Police Station and several nearby buildings. As soon as he came near the Uttara BNS Center through the flyover, a bullet hit Noor in the head. The bullet entered his forehead and exited through the back of his head. Noor immediately collapsed. His fellow soldiers took Noor to Ahsan Ullah Master Hospital in Tongi. Although it was decided to take him to Dhaka from there, by then the Uttara Jasim Uddin area had become a battlefield. As a result, the ambulance could not proceed any further.
Finally, Noor was taken to Uttara Modern Medical. Although he survived for some time, he breathed his last there due to excessive bleeding. Noor’s teacher Shahadat Hossain said, “He wanted to say something when he saw me. But he couldn’t. I know he was trying to say something. His eyes said everything.”
