– Md. Kamal Uddin: Some people are born in the world not for themselves, but to illuminate the path of others. They are not born with light, but rather become light themselves through their work, honesty and sacrifice. Their lives are not confined to the boundaries of a single identity; rather, each identity becomes a blessing for society. When writing about such people, it seems as if the dictionary of words also becomes smaller. I have met countless people in my long journalistic career. Some have come as temporary guests, some have been lost in the stream of time. But there are a few people whose names, just by uttering them, a kind of feeling of respect, love and trust is born in the heart. Ibrahim Qutubi is such a person. He is not only my long-time friend, he is a memory of my working life, a companion in struggle and a bright symbol of values. Today is a gentle afternoon of monsoon. The raindrops hitting the window glass were opening an album of old days. Amidst this silent melody of nature, I felt that today was the time to write about the person I had been wanting to write about for a long time. Because some people don’t need a day to honor them; their actions are enough to remember them. We met in the early nineties. At that time, journalism was a fight for ideals. Revealing the truth meant taking risks. We worked together in the courageous investigative magazine ‘Anchar’. I wrote about the world of crime, and Ibrahim Qutubi was a fearless explorer of shedding light on the dark corners of society. Every report of that time was like an explosion. It was not easy to expose the powerful. Despite facing countless threats, false cases, and propaganda—Qutubi Bhai never deviated from the path of truth even a hair. He believed, ‘The truth can be temporarily stopped, but it cannot be defeated.’ That belief has established him in a special position even today.
Many people hold the pen, but not everyone can maintain the dignity of the pen. Ibrahim Qutubi is one of those rare journalists who has never made news a tool for personal gain. He has used news as a weapon to establish human rights. The ‘Sevak Kantho’ published under his editorship is still a respected voice for truth and public interest. However, journalism is not his only identity. He is a teacher. I believe that a good teacher is more valuable than a hundred books. Because he does not just provide information, he develops people. Ibrahim Qutubi does not just teach his students the curriculum; he teaches honesty, reason, patriotism and humanity. His classes end, but his education does not end. He is a beacon of inspiration in the lives of many students. Again, in the courtroom, he is a well-known lawyer. There, he is known as a strong voice for reason, justice and human rights. He knows that law is not just the language of clauses and sub-clauses; law is the last refuge of people. Therefore, he never turned his profession into a business, but rather saw it as a means of service.
Journalism, teaching and law – these three fields are the three strong pillars of a civilized society. Surprisingly, in these three fields, Ibrahim Qutb has set a unique example of his honesty, skill and humanity. Very few people achieve such good fortune. Another great characteristic of his personality is humility. So much success, so much recognition, so much love of people – nothing has made him arrogant. He is still as simple, sincere and unassuming as before. He knows how to respect people, loves the younger ones, respects the older ones, stands by his friends and does not hesitate to sacrifice his own interests if necessary. I am personally always impressed by another quality of his. He never judges relationships based on need. Many relationships fade over time, but Qutb Bhai’s friendship has become stronger with time. He is equally sincere in happiness and sorrow, in crisis and opportunity. In today’s society, we often see – a person’s identity grows, but the person becomes small. In the case of Ibrahim Qutb, the picture is completely opposite. The wider his identity has become, the deeper his humanity has become. I think that the real wealth of society is not money; the real wealth is honest, idealistic and responsible people like Ibrahim Qutb. They do not live in the light of any propaganda, they live in the love of people. They are not loud, but their silent actions change society. Today, when the crisis of values surrounds us, people like Ibrahim Qutb teach us to be optimistic. They remind us that honesty is still honorable, justice is still necessary, and humanity is still the greatest force in the world. This writing is not a formal praise; it is an expression of my heart’s deep respect and gratitude for a fellow soldier, a dear friend and an extraordinary person. I firmly believe that the flow of time will erase many names, but the names of people like Ibrahim Qutb will never be lost in the history of work, honesty and humanity. Because they are not people of temporary popularity; they are people of lasting values. Ibrahim Qutb – He is not just a journalist, teacher or lawyer; he is the pen of truth, the lamp of knowledge and the voice of justice. He is not a man of three professions, but a unique beacon of light shining with equal brilliance on three horizons.