Family Tribute:

Shakila (26) and Nurul (36), a Muslim couple who been married for only year and half, were the victims of the World Trade Center Tragedy. Shakila Yasmin and Nurul H. Miah both used to work for Marsh & McLennan. Shakila's office was located in the 97th floor and Nurul's was in the 93rd floor in Tower one of the World Trade center. Nurul was in the 99th floor, attending a meeting when the 1st plane hit their building. Nurul used to work for Marsh & McLennan for about 15 years. Shakila just started about one year ago six months after they got married on April 2, 2000.

On August 20th, 1975, it was a crisis time in Bangladesh, Showkat Ara Sharif gave birth to Shakila at 3:30 in the evening. From her childhood, she seemed to be very intelligent and talented. She started talking clearly at a very early age. She recited poems and sang songs in many events in her school life. Shakila got her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) with distinction.

Shakila’s father Sharif A. Chowdhury has always placed education as the top most priority for his children. To achieve this goal, his family came to the United States on January of 1992. Shakila was only 16 at the time. She went to Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, and got her diploma in honors. She then later on continued her studies by attending Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). In 1999 Shakila graduated and achieved her college degree in Management Information Systems (MIS). She became a citizen of US on May 1998. Although she came from a Muslim family, she wasn’t conservative. Shakila was very free and friendly to others cultures and people with different races and colors. She also participated in many activities in school and college life.

As for Nurul, he came to the States in 1985 when he was 21. He’s the eldest son of Kari Afsaruddin Miah. He was born in Bangladesh on June 2, 1966. Nurul came from a pious Muslim family. He was very intelligent and possessed good leadership. He had a power to lead his family and friends efficiently. Nurul was fair spoken and wasn’t scared to face the truth. He was loved by everyone and had the capability to capture anyone’s heart very easily.

Nurul got his certificate on audiovisual and provided his service for Marsh. By dint of merit he managed his good position in the company. He was very outgoing and was a really into hunting. Nurul loved to fish, hunt and camp.

Over the years that we’ve known Nurul, we realized how popular he was in his circle of friends and co-workers. He didn’t make any distinction between race and religions.

Shakila and Nurul met at a friends wedding I believe in 1995. They dated for 5 years before they got married. They were a very happy couple without any conflicts. Shakila was meant for Nurul and Nurul was meant for Shakila. They loved each other very much. As far as we know, Shakila and Nurul is the only couple that was lost in the September 11th’s cruel tragedy.