Mohammad Abdul Hamid

Mohammad Abdul Hamid (born 1 January 1944) is a Bangladeshi retired politician and lawyer who served as president of Bangladesh from 2013 to 2023, making him the longest-serving president in the country's history. Born in the Haor-prone area of Kishoreganj and a political career spanning more than six decades, he was a lifelong affiliate of the Awami League, and was elected a member of parliament (MP) in Pakistan and independent Bangladesh for seven terms. He previously served as the speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad in 2001 and from 2009 to 2013, deputy speaker from 1996 to 2001, and deputy leader of the opposition from 2001 to 2006. He is noted for leading a simplistic lifestyle, even during his time in Bangabhaban. He is also known for his witty, humorous approach, with his speeches as president, mainly as chancellor of universities in Bangladesh, becoming widely popular. Some of his remarks, however, were deemed sexist by some. As president, he oversaw the controversial 2014 and 2018 parliamentary elections, and signed many criticised bills and decisions passed by the AL-led parliaments and the Hasina government, and controversially commuted some serious convicts from their sentences. However, he remained comparatively accepted across the political spectrum.