Dhaka, Dec. 21 -- From a son of a distinguished Islamic scholarly family to an uncompromising orator on the street-Sharif Osman Hadi had his roots deep in the people's mind.

Osman Hadi was born in a renowned 'Alim' family in Khasmahal area of Nalchhiti upazila of Jhalakathi district. His father, late Maulana Abdul Hadi, was a dedicated madrasa teacher. Osman Hadi was the youngest of three brothers and three sisters. Every member of the family was associated with scholars or religious education, which provided a strong moral foundation for Osman Hadi's thoughts and character.

His elder brother, Maulana Abu Bakr Siddique, is the Khatib of the traditional Sharfuddin Ahmed Sentu Jame Mosque in Barisal. Elder brother, Maulana Omar Faruk, is ...