Khaleda Zia’s 82nd birthday observed in districts

The 82nd birthday of late Prime Minister and former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was observed in districts including Barishal, Khulna, Laxmipur and Noakhali on Saturday.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliate organisations organised different programmes, including prayers and Milad Mahfil, on the occasion.

BARISHAL: The BNP organised a discussion and a prayer programme at Ashwini Kumar Hall in the city on Saturday to mark the Day.

The speakers recalled Khaleda Zia’s political career and her role in the country’s democratic movement. They also highlighted her contributions to the BNP and described her as an uncompromising leader.

The programme was organised by Advocate Md Mojibur Rahman Sarwar, a former whip and mayor of Barishal City Corporation and the BNP lawmaker from Barishal-5 Constituency. The event ended with a special prayer seeking eternal peace for the departed BNP leader. 

KHULNA: Khulna City and District units of BNP jointly organised a discussion and a Doa Mahfil at the party office on KD Ghosh Road in the city on Saturday marking the Day.

Addressing the programme, BNP leaders alleged that the previous government had subjected Khaleda Zia and her family members to severe political repression and persecution.

City BNP President and Khulna Development Authority (KDA) Chairman Advocate SM Shafiqul Alam Mona chaired the meeting.

In his speech, Mona alleged that Khaleda Zia had been unjustly confined in an isolated prison where she was deprived of adequate medical treatment. The then government had sought to remove her from politics through prolonged repression, he said. 

Mona urged party activists to remain vigilant against attempts by what he described as “anti-liberation forces and associates of fascism” to destabilise the country.

He called upon BNP leaders and activists to work under Tarique Rahman’s leadership to build a Bangladesh free from exploitation and discrimination.

Following the discussion, District Ulama Dal Convener Hafez Mawlana Faruk Hossain conducted a special prayer seeking the forgiveness of Khaleda Zia’s soul and peace and prosperity for the country.

District BNP Convener Moniruzzaman Montu, City BNP General Secretary and BCB Director Shafiqul Alam Tuhin, City BNP Joint Convener Rehena Isa, District BNP Joint Conveners Khan Zulfikar Ali Julu, Molla Khairul Islam and Sheikh Tayebur Rahman, City BNP Organising Secretary Hasanur Rashid Chowdhury Miraj, District BNP Joint Convener Enamul Haque Sajal, city BNP former joint convener Chowdhury Shafiqul Islam Hossain and Daulatpur Thana BNP former general secretary Sirajul Haque Nannu, among others, attended the programme.

LAXMIPUR: As part of the central programme, the District BNP has organised a prayer programme at the Chawkbazar Jam-e-Mosque in the town after Asr on Saturday on the occasion. 

BFF Vice-President Wahid Uddin Chowdhury Happy, District BNP Members Nizam Uddin Bhuiyan, Advocate Harunur Rashid Bepari, Hafizur Rahman and Mahbubur Rahman Liton, District Juba Dal President Abdul Alim Humayun, General Secretary (GS) Syed Rashidul Hasan Lincoln, District Swechchhasebak Dal GS Harunur Rashid, District Chhatra Dal Convener Abul Barakat Saurav, Member Secretary Hasibur Rahman Obhi, District Krishak Dal Vice-President Badrul Islam Shyamal, District Sramik Dal GS Abul Hasnat Sohel, and leaders from various levels of BNP and its affiliates were present at that time.

NOAKHALI: To mark the Day, a Milad and Doa Mahfil was organised by the District BNP at the District Jam-e-Mosque on Saturday.

BNP Vice-Chairman and MP from Noakhali-4 Constituency Md Shahjahan was present as the chief guest at the event.

Special prayers were offered wishing for the good health and longevity of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the well-being of all the party leaders and activists. 

In addition, prayers were also offered for the restoration of democracy in the country and the establishment of people's voting rights.

A large number of leaders and activists of the district BNP and its associate organisations participated in the event.