Photo: Collected
The Zia-ur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) has completed 27 years. Along with healthcare, education, agriculture, environmental conservation and disaster response, the organization has passed this long stretch through a range of initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of disadvantaged people; its journey began in 1999 with the goal of human service and public welfare.
This special supplement, published to mark the Foundation’s 27th founding anniversary, presents its humanitarian activities, notable achievements and future commitments. It carries messages from the Foundation’s President and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman, assessments by the directors, and greetings from the Convener and the Member Secretary of the anniversary celebration committee. Those concerned have expressed the hope that the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation will continue this journey with the resolve to stand beside people, to assist the helpless and to work for the society’s left-behind communities.
-: MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ZIA-UR RAHMAN FOUNDATION :-
On this day of the Foundation’s 27th founding anniversary, I convey my sincere greetings and congratulations to the professionals associated with it — particularly the physicians, agriculturists, engineers, journalists, educationists, volunteers, well-wishers and all those engaged in the service of humanity.
It was out of a resolve to work for the welfare of people that the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation — ZRF — began its journey in 1999. Establishing human dignity and extending a helping hand to the helpless and the disadvantaged is the creed of ZRF. The organisation has taken it up as one of its foremost responsibilities to stand beside those left behind and in extreme poverty, who cannot obtain the medical care they need for want of money.
These 27 years have not always been smooth. Various adversities — particularly the fascist rule and exploitation that ran for more than a decade and a half — obstructed the Foundation’s normal activities. Yet the love for people and the commitment to human service with which ZRF was born never came to a halt; even amid adversity, the organisation’s dedicated workers and physicians continued their efforts to remain beside the people.
They rushed to those in distress in every disaster. In floods, cyclones, pandemics or any other humanitarian crisis, when people were helpless, ZRF’s workers and volunteers stood beside them without thinking of their own safety. For more than a decade and a half, including in the difficult days of the anti-fascist movement, members of the organisation courageously provided medical care to save the lives of protesters and the injured.
On this glorious founding anniversary, I wish especially to remember those physicians and health workers who took up human service not merely as a profession but as a duty towards people. The contribution of those who treated the sick, the injured and the imperilled at the risk of their own lives in adverse times is never to be forgotten. What could be nobler than saving a human life?
I believe that the true strength of an organisation lies not in its buildings, its funds or its organisational structure; that strength lies in the mindset of working for people. This mindset of standing beside people in their hard times is the greatest achievement of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation, and it remains intact today.
It is my firm belief that, as in the past, the Foundation will extend its field of work further in the days ahead and widen the scope of its service. Its activities must be made more dynamic in medical care, education, agriculture, disaster response, support for poor and meritorious students, and the improvement of the living standards of the society’s left-behind people. Arranging treatment for one helpless person, placing a book in the hand of one poor student, standing beside one farmer, or extending a helping hand to one family imperilled by disaster — each of these too is a shining example of humanity.
On the 27th founding anniversary, therefore, let our pledge be this: we shall stand beside people in their sorrow, go forward in their danger, and try with all our means and capacity to bring a smile to the face of every helpless person. To each of those who have carried this journey of human service forward silently, selflessly and courageously over the past 27 years, I offer my sincere gratitude and respect.
Let us raise the flag of humanity higher still. Let us take service to people as our identity and humanity as the inspiration of our journey. May the 27th founding anniversary of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation be successful and meaningful. May Allah grant us all the ability to work for the welfare of people.
— Tarique Rahman
President,
Zia-ur Rahman Foundation
-: MESSAGE FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ZIA-UR RAHMAN FOUNDATION :-
Born on 18 October 1999 in the service of suffering humanity, the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) has grown in size and has today succeeded in bringing people of various professions under one roof and sowing the seed of trust and confidence among them. Being a non-political, private and service-oriented institution, the organisation has served the people’s needs without pause — something the public witnessed during the coronavirus period as well.
As a public welfare institution, the organisation continues to work tirelessly for the good of people. Love for people, human dignity and the resolve to build a self-reliant Bangladesh — these lie at the centre of every initiative. Today the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation is regarded by the nation as a symbol of reliance, and its every work has been appreciated and praised at home and abroad.
In recent times, alongside education and the pursuit of knowledge, ZRF has been playing an effective role in healthcare and environmental protection. On one side there were the virtual science fair for mental health development during Covid — In Search of Future Scientists, a specialised medical camp for the people of Karail suffering from heart disease and respiratory distress, the distribution of awareness leaflets and mosquito nets to raise public awareness in preventing dengue, arrangements for the treatment of children injured in the Milestone tragedy, and the renovation of a primary school; on the other side there were programmes such as tree plantation drives at the University of Dhaka and various other educational institutions of Bangladesh for the protection of the environment. It may be noted that the third science fair organised by the Foundation, “In Search of Future Scientists 2026”, is to be held.
Distributing books among poor and meritorious children; awarding scholarships to GPA-5 achievers; providing health check-ups, medicines and educational materials to madrasa students; arranging specialised health check-ups and medicines for the students of Surovi School, established for children with special needs and disadvantaged children; organising a free eye camp for the students of a school for the deaf and mute in Bogura; forming volunteer teams so that the residents of Bhashantek, Sattola and Karail receive regular health services; and organising an eye camp including free cataract operations on the grounds of Bhashantek Government Primary School — such initiatives were not confined to social activity alone, but inspired those involved in this endeavour with the motto “Wherever there is good work, there is ZRF”.
From its founding to the present day, through experience and achievement, the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation has continued to consolidate its position as a humanitarian institution trusted by the people of the country. Its activities continue in healthcare, education, the pursuit of science, agriculture, the environment, women’s empowerment, disaster response and other fields connected with people’s lives. We believe that small initiatives and collective effort can bring great change to people’s lives.
This unique platform of humanitarian service is advancing along the path shown by its visionary President, Mr Tarique Rahman. On the 27th founding anniversary, I convey my sincere greetings and congratulations to all members, volunteers and well-wishers associated with the Foundation. May this journey of ours continue with love for people, accountability and a commitment to service; may every initiative open a new horizon of relief, possibility and self-reliance in people’s lives.
Finally, on behalf of the Foundation, I wish everyone good health and well-being. Allah Hafez.
— Dr Zubaida Rahman
Vice-President
Zia-ur Rahman Foundation
-: 27 YEARS IN THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY :-
Professor Dr Farhad Halim Donar:
In 1999, the present Prime Minister Mr Tarique Rahman thought of setting up a foundation in his father’s name; it would be called the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation. The Foundation set out with this purpose before it: keeping politics in the place of politics, to see what could be done for ordinary people outside politics. He first held a medical camp at Dighulia in Terokhada upazila of Khulna district, and it was through this medical camp that his journey began. At the next stage he reflected that, to bring about the socio-economic development of the ordinary people of this country, they would have to be developed financially.
At that time he was organising the party’s grassroots across the country and holding grassroots rallies. Alongside those rallies, he would give marginal people in every district ducks, chickens, saplings, cattle, goats and similar inputs. His main purpose was that, through these, the person concerned would advance financially, become socially solvent, and that through this the economic wheel would turn. It is not that the project was a very large one; its main purpose was to motivate people. Seeing his activities, others too could do the same kind of work — and that is what was actually seen. From the time he began giving ducks, chickens, cattle and goats, people in other places, where our ZRF is not present, would donate to marginal people in the same manner. In this way his activities went on. In the first committee of this Foundation, he alone was the non-doctor; the organisation began its journey with the remaining 21 doctors. This journey has continued without pause.
On Tarique Rahman’s instruction, a scholarship project was launched in 2005 under the initiative of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation to stand beside meritorious students in need. Through this project, financially insolvent yet meritorious students are assisted so that they can continue their education. The scholarships were first formally awarded in 2005 at the LGED Bhaban in Dhaka. Although the activity was later suspended for some time owing to political upheaval, it was subsequently launched among a wider circle of families. Under the guidance of the Foundation’s President Mr Tarique Rahman and Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman, in 2023 educational stipends were again awarded to meritorious and insolvent students across the country as well as to 19 children of BNP leaders and activists affected by the democratic movement.
In the health service of helpless people
ZRF regularly organises free medical camps during any disaster, crisis or emergency in the country. At these camps, patients are given proper treatment along with necessary medicines, and health advice is provided. These services were recently provided at Rupsha in Khulna, Jatrabari and the Karail slum in Dhaka, Gazipur, Rajshahi, Chattogram and Bogura. For those deprived of regular access to health services, these camps are especially important.
On the advice of the BNP’s Acting Chairman and the Foundation’s President Mr Tarique Rahman and Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman, a health service camp was held at the home of the late President Zia-ur Rahman in Bogura, his birthplace. At that health service camp, held last year on 18 October to mark the Foundation’s 26th founding anniversary, nearly 7,000 patients received services; the Foundation’s physicians and members completed the work of this vast health camp with great success. A free medical camp was organised in the Kakrail slum of Dhaka to treat people suffering from cold-related and eye ailments brought on by the winter. An eye treatment camp was organised in Sylhet, where several thousand patients received services.
Patients with cleft lip returning to normal life
As a special initiative taken at the interest of the people’s leader Tarique Rahman, ZRF organised plastic and reconstructive surgery camps in Bogura, Khulna and Gaibandha with the cooperation of German specialist surgeons. At these camps, around 450 patients with cleft lip, cleft palate and burns were operated on free of charge. Many who could not have undergone surgery for want of money or medical facilities have found a new life through these camps. This activity is still ongoing in various districts.
Service for asthma patients
Around 7 million people in Bangladesh suffer from asthma. This is an estimate from official figures of 2003. Adequate service for such patients is difficult to obtain at a single integrated asthma centre. Feeling this need, under the guidance of the humane Tarique Rahman, asthma centres were established in Bogura in 2003 and in Chattogram in 2004. About 5,871 patients in Bogura and 3,119 patients in Chattogram have received successful treatment. This service is currently ongoing.
Prosthetic limb fitting
For those who have lost hands or legs because of the democratic movement or accidents, ZRF has been running a prosthetic limb programme under the guidance and overall supervision of Tarique Rahman, the servant of humanity.
This assistance has been under way since the founding of the organisation, and through it many people have been able to walk and return to working life anew. Alongside this, ZRF has stood beside the families of martyrs and of the missing and the persecuted, and expresses its resolve to continue that cooperation.
Supply of pure Komol water
For the people of the Dasherkandi area of Dhaka, the problem of pure water is a long-standing one. Owing to faults in the sewerage system there, water pollution reached a severe level. On Tarique Rahman’s instruction, to solve this problem, ZRF launched the Komol water project with the cooperation of the Rural Development Academy, Bogura (Komol was the pet name of the late President Zia-ur Rahman, and the water has been named accordingly). Around 120 families are receiving the benefit of pure water under this project. In addition, another 160 families here are availing themselves of a microcredit project. This initiative continues to play a direct role in improving the living standards of the local community.
Service during the coronavirus period
During the coronavirus pandemic, when people were confined to their homes in fear for their lives, physicians, agriculturists and representatives of various professions from the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation risked their lives to deliver oxygen cylinders, private medical PPE and medical supplies to the doors of those infected with the virus. For those who were largely confined to their homes, a hotline health service was launched.
ZRF in disaster and calamity
On Tarique Rahman’s instruction: relief assistance among those affected by the Feni flood in 2024, medical care for the injured during the July movement, assistance to skilled students and teachers in the Milestone tragedy, nationwide tree plantation, awareness-raising for the prevention of dengue and anthrax, campaigns for the prevention of heart disease, and Eid gifts and health services at madrasas and orphanages — some of these recent activities are presented here.
Veterinary medical camp
Under Tarique Rahman’s guidance, the Foundation has organised free veterinary medical camps nationwide. In continuation of this, a medical camp was held on 30 August 2025 at Jahir Uddin High School in Sutiakhali village of Mymensingh district under the initiative of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation. On that occasion, fruit and medicinal saplings were distributed among local farmers. At the camp, the livestock of the village farmers were given free treatment and medicines. A free veterinary medical camp and a fruit sapling distribution programme were held under the Foundation’s initiative at Banshkhali in Chattogram on 15 November 2025. In addition, on 4 October 2026, alongside a similar event in Gowainghat upazila of Sylhet, AWD kits were distributed among farmers.
Cleanliness programme
That our health is harmed by rubbish and polythene being dumped here and there is something the Foundation’s Vice President Dr Zubaida Rahman has deeply realised. As such rubbish ends up in the stomachs of livestock, various harmful germs may enter them, and that meat is harmful to human health as well. For this reason, on her instruction, cleanliness programmes were carried out in Feni, Khulna and several other places.
Idea Fest 2025 mini hackathon
With the intent of building a prosperous Bangladesh free of discrimination, the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation undertook a programme titled ‘Idea Fest 2025 mini hackathon’ — ‘Tomorrow’s Bangladesh in the thinking of youth’ — ‘to your camps, to your campuses’. Bangladesh is beset by many problems; the young must confront these crises and carry the country forward. The Foundation’s initiative is therefore aimed at building them up as skilled and capable — that is, so that young people can identify the country’s problems and construct the path to solving them. That is the main objective of this Idea Fest. This talent hunt, or mini hackathon, was organised on the instruction of the Foundation’s Vice President and noted cardiologist Dr Zubaida Rahman. A final competition was later arranged with all these young people, and prizes were handed to the winners of that final competition on the day of the Foundation’s founding anniversary.
ZRF joins international humanitarian initiatives beyond the country’s borders — ZRF has also joined humanitarian initiatives internationally, beyond the borders of the country. To assist people affected by the devastating earthquake in Türkiye, a team formed of ZRF members handed over blankets at the Turkish embassy in Dhaka.
In conclusion it may be said that the 27-year journey of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation is essentially a history of human welfare, compassion, development and service. The Foundation has taken practical initiatives in every field — education, health, water, agriculture, social safety, disaster situations and humanity — and continues to play a role in improving the living standards of the society’s left-behind people by standing beside them. This organisation, committed to humanity, will go on working for the people of the country in future as well; the service of suffering humanity will continue on an even larger scale. When a Tarique Rahman, endowed with humanitarian qualities, is the President of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation, its activities will quite naturally expand. This Foundation will progressively increase its activities for all the people of the cities as well as the remote regions. Making use of the intense eagerness for human service of a capable team formed of established personalities from various professions, all these people-friendly programmes will continue in future as in the past. On this auspicious day, this is the prayer to the great Creator — that He keep our beloved President Mr Tarique Rahman in good health. We, all the members of ZRF, are determined to take this humanitarian institution of Tarique Rahman’s to a unique height. We are engaged in carrying Tarique Rahman’s philosophy of humanity to the heart of every person in the country.
Writer: Executive Director,
Zia-ur Rahman Foundation.
27 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENT, THE DUTY OF THE DAYS AHEAD, OUR PLEDGE:-
Professor Dr Mostafa Azij Sumon:
The Zia-ur Rahman Foundation (ZRF) — a non-political, public welfare and humanitarian institution — has completed 27 years since its founding. Under the guidance of its President Tarique Rahman, ZRF believes that service to people is no formality; it is a humanitarian duty. Standing beside people in their hard times is its greatest identity.
Since its founding, ZRF has been working tirelessly in the healthcare, education, disaster response, rehabilitation and social development of the people of the country. The asthma centre, the child health service centre in Bogura, the distribution of ducks, chickens and goats to make rural women self-reliant, and the installation of safe drinking water tanks in Dasherkandi, which faces an acute water crisis — these initiatives are a reflection of the Foundation’s commitment to meeting people’s basic needs and improving their living standards.
Hundreds of health camps across the country, eye camps for cataract patients, awareness and assistance in preventing dengue, veterinary camps to protect livestock, and standing beside people in floods and other natural disasters and major accidents — all this proves the breadth of ZRF’s activities. Taking up support activities involving physicians and volunteers at the very start of the Covid-19 pandemic was also one of its notable initiatives.
The Foundation’s initiative in the rehabilitation, treatment and support of persons who suffered loss of limbs and serious physical harm in the July 2024 mass uprising and in political repression is an important example of humanitarian accountability.
The effort to reach the martyrs’ families of July directly, even in the remote regions of the country, to deliver Eid gifts proves that the service of humanity recognises no limit of distance or location.
Through the education scholarship programme, ZRF has stood beside many meritorious students; many of them are established today as physicians, engineers and army officers. This success is not that of individuals alone; it is a reflection of the long-term social investment of a humanitarian initiative.
ZRF’s initiatives in connecting the young generation with science, innovation and creative thinking are also particularly notable. The science fair organised at the initiative of Dr Zubaida Rahman has created the opportunity for students to connect textbook knowledge with the solving of real-life problems. Through the display of science projects, the presentation of innovative ideas, question-and-answer sessions and the exchange of experience at these fairs, with the participation of students from various educational institutions, curiosity, teamwork and qualities of leadership are developing among the young. The science fair is not merely an exhibition; it is an effective platform for preparing the future generation as rational, technology-conscious citizens active in nation-building.
In this initiative, the portrait of Tarique Rahman becomes, as it were, a symbolic image of humane leadership — where accountability to people, trust in the young and the resolve to build a knowledge-based society meet in a single thread. In the thinking of his leadership, just as ZRF’s humanitarian activities extend a helping hand to people in their hard times, so do initiatives like the science fair supply the young with the strength to build the future.
Through health, humanitarian assistance and public welfare initiatives at the national and international levels, ZRF wishes to widen still further its scope for working for people. Initiatives of this kind are important for the future in health awareness, the environment and safe water, child and maternal health, medical assistance for helpless people, science education, and the development of a scientific outlook among the young generation.
For people, for humanity and for a knowledge-based future — may this journey of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation continue. On ZRF’s 27th founding anniversary, sincere greetings to all well-wishers, volunteers, physicians, donors, teachers, students and associates.
Writer: Director,
Bangladesh Cancer Hospital.
-: GREETINGS FROM THE CONVENER :-
Today, 18 October, is the 27th founding anniversary of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation. Step by step, over a long journey of 27 years, the Foundation has established itself as a symbol of the ordinary people’s trust. At this auspicious moment, I convey my sincere greetings and congratulations to members of the Foundation at every level, to its well-wishers, and to all those involved in its service activities.
From its inception, the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation has been carrying on its effort to stand beside people through human service, education, health, agriculture, environmental conservation and public welfare activities. The collective initiative of people from various professions — physicians, agriculturists, engineers, teachers, journalists and lawyers among them — has enriched the Foundation’s activities.
I believe that, inspired by humane values, social accountability and the spirit of patriotism, we will be able to work for the welfare of people in a still better organised way. At this momentous hour of the founding anniversary, I express the hope that, through everyone’s collective effort, the Foundation’s advance will become more dynamic and more meaningful.
Sincere thanks and greetings to all.
Professor Dr Morshed Hasan Khan
Convener,
27th Founding Anniversary Celebration Committee
GREETINGS FROM THE MEMBER SECRETARY
On the occasion of the 27th founding anniversary of the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation, I convey my sincere greetings and congratulations to all members, well-wishers and all those involved in its service work.
Since its founding in 1999, the Foundation has been working tirelessly in education, health, agriculture, the environment and human welfare. Its initiatives in awarding scholarships to students, assisting marginal farmers, providing medical care, standing beside people affected by disasters, planting trees and developing the creativity of the young are praiseworthy.
Despite various adversities, this humanitarian advance of the Foundation continues. I believe that, with everyone’s collective effort, sincerity and cooperation, the Zia-ur Rahman Foundation will play an even more important role in the welfare of people in future. On the founding anniversary, I wish the Foundation ever-increasing success and prosperity.
— Professor Dr Sarkar Mahbub Ahmed Shamim
Member Secretary
27th Founding Anniversary Celebration Committee
