Ambassador Mushfiqul Fazal mourns deaths of Bangladeshi-origin woman, daughter on UK beach

Ambassador Mushfiqul Fazal Ansarey, currently attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has expressed condolences over the deaths of Bangladeshi-origin Shelina Rahman and her daughter, Sameeha, at a beach in the United Kingdom.

Shelina, a 42-year-old British-Bangladeshi teacher, and Sameeha, 15, died in the waters off an Essex beach while trying to rescue a seven-year-old boy who had got into difficulty, according to media reports.

The boy, whom police said is a relative of the family, remains on life support at a hospital in London.

Shelina’s husband, Monsur Rahman, is the leader of Jubo Dal UK, the overseas youth wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in Britain. Her father is Mujibur Rahman, the former vice-president of the party in Britain.

In a post on his verified Facebook account, Mushfiqul Fazal wrote, “Heartbroken by the tragic loss of Mrs. Shelina Rahman and her beloved daughter, Sameeha. Their final act was one of extraordinary courage as they tried to save a young family member from the sea.” 

He said, “I had the privilege of knowing both Monsur Rahman and his father-in-law Mujib Bhai for many years. This unimaginable loss has deeply saddened me.”

The ambassador added, “My heartfelt condolences to Mujibur Rahman, Monsur Rahman and the entire bereaved family. May Allah (SWT) grant Shelina and Sameeha the highest place in Jannatul Ferdous, give strength and patience to their loved ones, and grant the child a full recovery.”