Rokia Afzal Rahman passed away in a Singapore hospital early today.

A champion of women's empowerment, she was integral in advancing the role of women in business and was a stalwart supporter of free media. Till her death, she was a force in both the business and the development sectors.

The chairperson of Mediaworld Ltd, the owning company of The Daily Star, Rokia Rahman breathed her last peacefully in her sleep at the Mt Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore.

Tributes poured in from people of varying sectors, shining a light on how big a hole her departure has left in the country.

'Let her life and legacy be an inspiration to all'

"Rokia Afzal Rahman was the epitome of grace and gentleness, yet a successful entrepreneur, a hardheaded business leader, and deeply imbued with a sense of social responsibility, said Manzoor Ahmed, professor emeritus of Brac University.

"She has always been concerned about the less privileged, particularly, women struggling to overcome many obstacles society put in their way," he added.

"She has been committed to expanding educational opportunities for all, especially girls," Manzoor said, adding, "A testimony to her service to education is her role in founding the Presidency University and helping in its leadership and management to widen the door of higher education."

Mentioning that Rokia Rahman has been board member of premier education and development organisatios such as BRAC, MIDAS and Manusher Jonno, the professor stated, "let her life and legacy be an inspiration to all."

'A friend, a mentor'

"Humility is her other name. I write 'is' because Rokia Apa will continue to live amongst all of us beyond today, just because of her compassion," said Rubana Huq, managing director of Mohammadi Group and vice chancellor of Asian University for Women.

"She is a friend, a mentor and will always continue be one," Rubana said, adding her contribution to the SME landscape of Bangladesh is outstanding. Her encouragement to young female entrepreneurs is exemplary.

"A woman of courage, vision and optimism, Rokia Apa, you will always be in our hearts."

'She was a veritable pathfinder who inspired all'

Distinguished banker and financial professional Anis A Khan said Rokia was a national icon and progressive personality. 

"She was a veritable pathfinder, who inspired not only women to forge ahead boldly but also people like us in various occupations, with various interests and in different organisations working for welfare of the people."

He noted how Rokia Afzal Rahman served with great dignity, efficiency and effectiveness during her time with the caretaker government. 

"She has the distinction of being the first ever female manager of a bank branch in Bangladesh. This inspired our women to look for opportunities in the services sector and today, around they form a quarter of the total workforce of banks in Bangladesh. 

"I had the privilege of serving under her when she was MCCI president in 2014-2015. During her tenure, MCCI celebrated 110 years of its existence and had former Indian president, late APJ Abdul Kalam as the keynote speaker and special guest at the event."

Anis A Khan also noted his time serving under her in Bangladesh Cancer Aid Trust (BANCAT), which has set up a cancer home enabling patients from outside Dhaka to stay there while seeking medical care and rehabilitation. 

"May her departed soul rest in eternal peace in heaven. May the bereaved family have the strength to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude," said Anis A Khan.

'We have a lot to learn from her'

"We are really very saddened by her untimely demise. She is a pioneer in women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and showed us the way," said Monowara Hakim Ali, president of Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

"She loved women entrepreneurs very much and always advised us to work for people. She will remain with us as a symbol of woman entrepreneurship. She believed that advancement of women would advance the nation," said Monowara.

"She always advised me to maintain low profile. She told us to keep our confidence and to keep going. We have a lot to learn from her."

'Unparalleled foresight'

Rokia Rahman was a visionary business leader with remarkable humane qualities, said Md Saiful Islam, president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), the leading business chamber of the country.

"Her foresight was unparalleled," Saiful told The Daily Star as he recalled his memories with the noted entrepreneur who served as MCCI president for two terms.

"She had respect for people, which is rare nowadays. She had no hidden agenda," Saiful said.

Rokia Rahman played a crucial role in showcasing the country's progress to the world during the celebration of MCCI's 110th anniversary a few years ago in 2014 when she was the president of MCCI.

'Irreparable loss'

Rokia Rahman was also a former trustee board member of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD).

BUILD in a press release said all trustee board members, staffers and management personnel were deeply shocked and saddened at her passing.

It said Rokia Rahman was one of the key driving forces of women entrepreneurial development in particular and Bangladesh's economic development in general.

"We share our profound respect and condolences, and recall with respect her massive contribution to trade and commerce, employment generation, industrialisation, entrepreneurship and social development."

She was instrumental in the development of business, trade and economy of the country. Her dedication and commitment to development of the private sector was truly inspirational and unique, the release read.

"We convey our sincere condolences to her family members and near ones. We pray to Almighty Allah to grant them eternal peace and give strength to the family to bear this irreparable loss."

'She never stopped helping'

Rokia Rahman was chairperson of the Jashore-based Banchte Shekha, which works to improve the lives of the extremely poor.

Expressing deep shock and grief at her death, Angela Gomes, a social worker and the Founder Executive Director of Banchte Shekha, said, "Rokia Rahman was a helpful friend of ours. She always tried to think about what would be good for us, for the organisation. She never stopped helping us ... We are proud of her. She will be truly missed, as we won't find such wonderful people anymore.

"We wish for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and offer our condolences to the grieving family," she added.

'Will be remembered as an inspiration'

Rokia Rahman was a former member of the trustee board and general assembly of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

TIB in a statement termed as exemplary her bold and active participation in the movement against corruption to ensure good governance.

"Her death caused irreparable loss to the country," said TIB's Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman in the statement.

Rokia Rahman will be remembered as an inspiration because of her hard work and patriotism, he added.

She was a member of TIB's trustee board for two terms between 2012 and 2018. "We're indebted to Rokia Rahman for her righteous contribution to TIB's activities," reads the statement.

TIB's board of trustees, management, Nagorik Committee (SANAC), Youth Engagement and Support (YES), and Active Citizens Group are seeking salvation to her departed soul and deep sympathy to her bereaved family members.

'She was so caring'

"She was so caring, like a mother or elder sister," said Fazlul Hoque, former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).

"I became very emotional with hearing her death news. It shocked me as the relationship with her was so motherly," he also said.

"She was so caring about me, [it was] as if she was my family member and always used to know about us," said Fazlul Hoque also a board member of the International Chamber of Commerce – Bangladesh (ICC-B).

"We used to share a lot of thoughts during our board meeting of the ICC-B as she was a vice-president until her death. Every year we travelled to different countries like Australia, Spain and other countries from the ICC-B. During our tours we had a lot of good memories," Hoque said.