BNP’s National Executive Committee Joint Organizing Secretary Miftah Siddiqui organized a prayer and iftar gathering with orphans, politicians, administrative officials, professionals, businessmen, and people from various walks of life. The event aimed to pray for the recovery of BNP Chairperson and former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman.
The event took place on Sunday at a prestigious convention center in Sylhet city. It was preceded by a brief discussion, moderated by former Joint Convener of Metropolitan BNP Saleh Ahmed Khusru, where political and professional leaders spoke.
Speakers and attendees included BNP Chairperson’s advisers Dr. Enamul Haque Chowdhury and Khandaker Abdul Muktadir; former mayor and adviser to the BNP Chairperson Ariful Haque Chowdhury; Acting Chairman’s Adviser and BNP International Affairs Secretary Barrister MA Salam; Assistant Secretary of Microfinance Abdur Razzak; Executive Committee members Sheikh Sujat Mia and Faisal Ahmed Chowdhury; Sylhet District BNP President Abdul Qayyum Chowdhury; Acting President of Metropolitan BNP Rezaul Hasan Keyes Lodi; Sylhet District BNP General Secretary Advocate Emran Ahmed Chowdhury; and Metropolitan BNP General Secretary Imdad Hossain Chowdhury, among others.
Academics, including Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) Vice-Chancellor Dr. AM Sarwaruddin Chowdhury and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sajedul Karim, along with representatives from Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet Press Club, and various professional associations, were also present.
During the discussion, speakers noted that after prolonged movements and struggles, the fascist government has fallen. They emphasized that people had been deprived of their voting rights for a long time and are now eagerly waiting to exercise their franchise. They called on the interim government to quickly implement necessary reforms and hold national parliamentary elections.
Thanking everyone for attending, Miftah Siddiqui said, “Begum Zia has endured imprisonment for the country but has never compromised on democracy. Despite being abroad for medical treatment, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has provided astute leadership to the country’s democratic movement.” He also stated that although the July-August mass uprising led to the fall of fascism, their movement is not over; now, they must focus on rebuilding the nation.
Prayers were offered for the recovery and longevity of Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman, as well as for the forgiveness of BNP founder and former President Ziaur Rahman and noted sports organizer Arafat Rahman Koko. The prayer was led by Maulana Saleh Ahmed.
The iftar gathering turned into a grand assembly of leaders and activists from BNP’s various units in Sylhet division, including district, upazila, municipal, and ward-level leaders, alongside representatives from affiliate and supporting organizations.
