Death of Bangladesh independence activist Kulsuma Ullah

Ansar Ahmed Ullah
Contributing Editor, Shottobani 

London:  Kulsuma Ullah, one of the prominent organisers of Bangladesh’s independence movement here in the UK, is no more. She passed away on Thursday 21 January, at the Princess Royal University Hospital in London (Inna Lillah e Wa Inna Ilahi Raziun). She had been suffering from old age-related illness for a long time. She was about 83 years old and leaves behind a son and four daughters.
Her second eldest daughter Alma Haque speaking to Shottobani said following formalities at the hospital, Kulsuma Ullah will be buried in Bromley, next to her husband Najib Ullah.

The late Kulsuma Ullah had lived in London for a long time. She was revered in the community as a dedicated woman who played an important role during her stay in London, especially during the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. She was involved in community work too.

During Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971, Kulsuma Ullah drove from one end of Britain to the other with her husband Najib Ullah, to collect funds and create public opinion in favour of Bangladesh’s liberation. Kulsuma Ullah was one of the few women who could drive at that time. She raised money on behalf of the Bangladesh Women’s Association, attended meetings and processions with women.

She was one of the founding member and organiser of the Bangladesh Women’s Association in Britain. In 2006 in an interview with the Swadhinata Trust, on hearing the final victory, she said, ‘Yes. I was very much proud of my Bangladesh. I called (phoned) more than 100 people that day when victory was achieved. I called all my friends, relatives, members of the Women Association and many other people.’

In 2016, Kulsuma Ullah was awarded the Joi Bangla Liberation War Award along with several others in London. Overwhelmed with emotion, elderly Kulsum Ullah was unable to say much at that event except thanking the initiative for preserving memories for generations to come.