Mohammad Abdul Hamid

Mohammad Abdul Hamid (born 1 January 1944) is a Bangladeshi politician who served as the president of Bangladesh from 2013 to 2023. He was elected to his first term in April 2013, and re-elected in 2018. Previously, he served as the speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad from January 2009 to April 2013. He was the acting president after the death of Zillur Rahman in March 2013. He was the longest serving president in the history of Bangladesh.

Early life and education
Hamid was born in Kamalpur village, Mithamain Upazila under Kishoreganj District to Mohammad Tayebuddin and Tomiza Khatun. He started his early education in the village primary school. After finishing primary education, he went to his relative's house in Bhairabpur and joined Bhairab K.B. Pilot High School for secondary education. Abdul Hamid passed I.A. and B.A. from Gurudayal Government College in Kishoreganj. He obtained the degree of LL.B. from Central Law College which is now affiliated with the University of Dhaka. He then joined Kishoreganj Bar as an advocate. He was President of the Kishoreganj District Bar Association five times during 1990–96.

Political career
Hamid joined Chhatra League in 1959 whilst a student in Kishoreganj, as the vice-president of Gurudayal Government College. He was also elected the vice-president of the Chhatra League of Mymensingh District Unit in 1966–67. At the end of 1969, he joined the Awami League. In the 1970 Pakistan general election, Abdul Hamid was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Mymensingh-18 constituency; he was the youngest person elected. In the general elections of 1973, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2009 he was elected as Member of Parliament for Kishoreganj-5 constituency as a nominee of the Awami League. He was the Deputy Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh when an Awami League government was in office from 1996 to 2001. On 25 January 2009, he became the Speaker of the National Parliament. For his contribution to the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, he received the Independence Award in 2013.

Presidency
Hamid was appointed acting President of Bangladesh on 14 March 2013, while President Zillur Rahman was in hospital in Singapore. Zillur Rahman died six days later. Later, Abdul Hamid was elected unopposed as president on 22 April 2013. He was sworn into office on 24 April. On 7 February 2018, he was re-elected unopposed for a second term.

Hamid suggested that a United Nations-administered humanitarian corridor be established in Myanmar for the Rohingya Muslims.

Personal life
Hamid has been married to Rashida Hamid since 1964. Together they have three sons and one daughter. His son Rejwan Ahammad Taufiq is a MP from Kishoreganj-4.