Rafiqul Islam (Bangladeshi politician)

Major Rafiqul Islam Bir Uttam is a Bangladesh Awami League politician and the incumbent Jatiya Sangsad member from Chandpur-5 constituency.

Early life and career
Rafiqul Islam was born on 13 September 1943, in Naora village, located in Shahrasti municipality of Chandpur district. He is a freedom fighter, writer and politician. He was awarded the Bir Uttam (B.U), the highest gallantry award for bravery in battlefield during the Liberation War in 1971. He was Sector Commander of Number 1 Sector of Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Number 1 sector included all areas east of the Muhuri river in Feni district, Khagrachari district, Rangamati district, Bandarban district, Chittagong district and Cox’s Bazar district, extending up to the western border of Myanmar. After leaving the army at the end of the Liberation War, he served for over 14 years as the Chairman of the following government organizations: Dhaka Water and Sewerage Authority, Bangladesh Handloom Board, and Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Corporation. Afterwards, he was nominated and included in the 1st Caretaker Government of Bangladesh as Advisor during 1990-1991, and was given the responsibility of the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Thereafter, he joined the Bangladesh Awami League and ran for political office. He was elected a member of Bangladesh Parliament in July, 1996 from 264-Chandpur-5 (Hajigonj-Shahrasti Upazillas)

He was re-elected to the parliament in 2008, 2014 and 2018 from Chandpur-5 constituency as a Bangladesh Awami League candidate.