Syed Abul Hossain is the third sibling of his parents, Al-hajj Syed Atahar Ali and Al-hajj Syeda Sufia Ali. He is the second among his brothers.
Syed Abul Hossain was born in Dasar of Madaripur district on 1 August, 1951. His formal education began in 1956 at Nabagram Primary School near Dasar. After attending this school for two years, he got admitted to Class-III of Dasar Primary School in his own village. After completing study in Class-III and Class-IV in this school, he was admitted to Class-V in Medhakul High School in Agoiljhara upazila. After completing study in Class-VII in this school, he got admitted to Class-VIII of Goila High School, a famous educational institution in Gournadi upazila. He completed secondary education from this school.
He passed SSC examinations with distinction in 1966 from the Goila School. After that, he succeeded in Intermediate in Commerce from Gournadi College in 1968. He did his master’s degree in Management in 1972 from Dhaka University. As he was a meritorious student, he passed all the examinations with distinctions. His personality, manners, style of conversation and sense of civility are extraordinary.
In his work life, Syed Abul Hossain sets an example as a conscientious, honest, punctual and responsible personality. Though he started his career with a public service, he was with the government service for a very short-time. He concentrated on business and established his own business organization- ‘SAHCO International Ltd’ in 1975. He made an unprecedented success in business and his honesty, transparency and polite behavior are considered behind his success. The goodwill and reputation of his organization now spreads beyond the country.
As a patron of education, he established six colleges including four university colleges and 66 high schools, including eight Madrassas in Madaripur area at his own expenses. In addition, he played a key role in establishing 150 community primary schools. His established college buildings are examples of architectural designs. The educational institutions set up by him have been running well in terms of maintaining institutional discipline and achieving cent percent success in examinations. Under his constant guidance, the quality of education of these educational institutions has earned a reputation across the country.
Syed Abul Hossain is also a man of benevolent. He is very kind in helping people. None are returned empty-handed by him seeking financial support for any purposes like matrimonial functions, medical treatment and educational expenses. He keeps his helping hand extended always to all like a close relation. He stood beside the distressed people during the great disasters in Urirchar and Saturia of Manikganj in mid-80s and Madaripur in 1988. He supplied food for teachers of private educational institutions when they staged sit-in on the street in Dhaka in 1994.
He is also a renowned social worker. His role for the development of the society is unparalleled. His relentless efforts and assistance for the development of roads and infrastructures in his locality is well-known to everybody.
Syed Abul Hossain is an experienced parliamentarian. His lively, rationalistic and conclusive debates and speeches on different issues in parliament are acclaimed by all. His excellent role in Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance and Commerce drew attention of all at that time. He was elected parliament member for the consecutive four times in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2008 from Madaripur-3 constituency.
He is a devoted worker of Bangladesh Awami League and a dedicated follower of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He joined active politics under the direct mentorship of the present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Syed Abul Hossain has been actively involved in Dhaka Trade and Industry Faculty and Dhaka Stock Exchange. He is the founder Secretary General of the National Management Association, Bangladesh and Dhaka University Management Department Alumni Association. He is also the founder President of SAHCO Development Centre, a private organization. He is the entrepreneur director of Mutual Trust Bank.
Syed Abul Hossain is the permanent representative of Bangladesh to the ‘Boao Forum for Asia’ since its inception in China’s Boao city. He has introduced Bangladesh in the global arena through his representation in this forum. Notably, Asia’s big business people and politicians are members of the Boao Forum. This Forum has already attracted global attention.
A new financial institution “Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)” akin to the World Bank has started its journey. Its aim is to establish itself as a respectable financial institution by reducing the risk and exploitation and unjustified influence of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) controlled by the West. Mr. Hossain has played an important role in the establishment of the AIIB.
Syed Abul Hossain is an innovative man. He likes to work for new innovations and always take fresh moves and initiates to take the country forward. He completed the main design of Padma bridge just within two years, while preparing the design of Bangabandhu bridge took 10 years. He wanted to implement the Padma Bridge as early as possible. But Syed Abul Hossain became the victim of international conspiracy. He was the man who played the key role in taking up mega projects such as Elevated Expressway, Metrorail, construction of four-lane and eight-lane roads and construction of flyovers in Dhaka. He was the target of criticisms of the vested quarters for working to materialize the dreams of the countrymen. Local and foreign conspiracies were proved false afterward. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina showered praises on him describing him as a patriot, honest and courageous man.
He is a noted freedom-fighter. He is also a columnist and political analyst. During his student life ‘he was the editor of an analytical monthly on politics-‘The Politician’. He is a writer of many books and some of his renowned books include: 1. Sadinatarjanak Banghabandhu Sheikh Mojibur Rahman, 2. Sheikh Hasina Sangrami Janonatrir Protikriti, 3. Gonotrantro Natritta O Unnayan, 4. Gonatatrik Sasan Babster Sankot, 5. Awami Leaguer Niti – Kousol-Silpayan O Avantorin Sampad Samabesh, 6. Me and Accountability, 7. Povitra Sriti Album, 8. The Amar Kotha, 9. Memoirs- a Photo Album, 10. Amar Kotha, 11. Bangladesher Esthapathi Bangabandhu 12. Sheikh Hasina: Bangladesher Bhumikanna 13. Bangabandhur Darmo Chinta O Darmo Chetana, 14. Biddasagar, 15. Padma Setu: Satater Bijoygatha etc.
Syed Abul Hossain has been bestowed with many national and international awards in recognition of his praiseworthy and glorious contribution to social welfare and education. The awards include: Jatiya Swadhinata Purashkar (1991), Bangabandhu Jatiya Purashkar and Sammanona Sawrak (1993), Maulana Bhasani Jatiya Purashkar (1992), Shaheed Surhawardi Jatiya Purashkar (1991), Atish Dipangkar Sreegayan Purashkar (1991), Kolkata University Swadhinata Purashkar (1989), Mahatma Ashwani Kumar Dutta Purashkar (1999), Millennium of The Honour (1999), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Purashkar (2003), Acharjya Prafullah Chandra Roy Purashkar (2003), Kabi Jasim Uddin Swarna Padak (2005) and Nirnai Swarna Padak (2005).
The latest honor conferred on Syed Abul Hossain was in 2019 when he was given the Biddasagar Award-2019 for his great contribution to the development of many educational institutions in Bangladesh. Biddasagar Award from the Biddasagar Bishabiddalay of India has termed Syed Abul Hossain as a Biddasagar of Bangladesh.
Syed Abul Hossain is married to Nargis Hossain and they are blessed with two daughters.
