Daud Haider

Daud Haider (21 February 1952 – 26 April 2025) was a Bangladeshi poet who was forced into exile after writing a poem that "insulted" religions, including Islam. American Center, PEN International have described him as a "distinguished poet".

Early life Daud Haider was born on 21 February 1952 at Doharpara of Pabna District in the then East Bengal, Dominion of Pakistan. He was the eighth child of fourteen siblings. His six brothers were Zia Haider, Makid Haider, Rashid Haider, Zahid Haider, Abid Haider and Arif Haider. He was the literary editor of The Sangbad based in Dhaka. He wrote a poem, Kalo Surjer Kalo Josnar Kalo Bonnai, published in the Sangbad’s literature page on 24 February 1974. He was physically attacked for his works. He was imprisoned by the government of Bangladesh. His ancestral house was destroyed by arson and one of his relatives was killed. In 1987, the Indian government refused to extend his visa. He wrote his first articles for DW in 1989, on the topics of homeland and homelessness. He was buried at St. Michael Cemetery in Hermannstrasse in the Neukölln area of ​​Berlin. Several German media outlets published his obituary. A programme was arranged in his memory at the Kurt-Tucholsky Library.

Awards "The best poem of Asia" from the London-based Poetry Society award in 1973.