Father abandons child in supermarket, Hefz teacher shields students with his life

Amid the terrifying earthquakes that rocked Dhaka and other parts of the country over the past two days, two contrasting videos have gone viral on social media – one earning nationwide praise, the other widespread condemnation.

The heart-warming footage comes from Raba Ideal Creative Madrasa in Bashundhara Residential Area. CCTV captured the moment the powerful Friday (21 November) tremor struck while young huffaz students were resting.

In the video, assistant teacher (Hefz section) Hafiz Maulana Shofiqul Islam is seen lying on a bed near the door, scrolling on his phone. The instant the shaking begins, instead of rushing out, he springs toward the children. He quickly pulls two students off their beds to safety, grabs a pillow to shield their heads, and gathers four terrified boys under his protection. Only when the shaking subsides does he lead them out of the room.

Speaking to the media, Hafiz Shofiqul Islam said: “Since the little children in the Hefz section stay with us, caring for them and keeping them safe is part of a teacher’s responsibility. I did whatever I could to protect them completely.”

The clip has been viewed millions of times, with netizens hailing him as a “real guardian” and “true hero”.

Meanwhile, another video that surfaced on the same day has sparked outrage. CCTV from a supermarket shows a father shopping with his young child. The moment the quake hits, the man drops everything and sprints toward the exit – leaving his frightened child standing alone in the aisle.

Internet users have sharply contrasted the two incidents, with many writing: “One man risked his life for children who aren’t even his own; another abandoned his own flesh and blood.”

The videos continue to spread rapidly across social media, highlighting both the best and worst of human instincts in moments of extreme panic.