Nurul Islam (broadcaster)
# Nurul Islam (broadcaster)

Nurul Islam MBE (Bengali: নুরুল ইসলাম; 25 November 1928 – 7 October 2006) was a British-Bangladeshi broadcast journalist, news presenter, and radio producer and presenter. He had more than 50 years of experience in radio and television and is best known for his work with the BBC World Service.

## Career

Islam was born in Dacca, Bengal Presidency, British Raj (now Bangladesh). Initially trained as a photographer and an actor. Worked for the Department of Films and Publication after partition in 1947 and became the first Bengali newsreader to announce the birth of the new Pakistan.

In 1949, Islam travelled to London and studied economics and politics at the London School of Economics, and commenced freelance work as a Bengali contributor, actor and broadcaster for BBC Radio. He returned to Pakistan and worked in both radio and television, helping to make government newsreels at key moments in history.

After announcing on radio the independent state of Bangladesh in 1971, Islam returned to the BBC in England. He joined the Voice of America in Washington in the late 1970s for two years, after which he returned to BBC World Service based in Bush House in London and presented Bengali language children's program, Kakoli.

In 1988, following his official retirement Islam continued as a freelance broadcaster and a mentor to his colleagues at the Bengali section of the World Service at the BBC.

## Death

Nurul Islam died in Surrey, England after a period of illness.

