Syed Ashraful’s first namaz-e-janaza held
The first namaz-e-janaza of ruling Awami League leader Syed Ashraf was held at the South Plaza of the Jaitya Sangsad on Sunday morning, reports UNB.
The body of the former general secretary of the Awami League was taken to the parliament complex from Combined Military Hospital (CMH) at 9:30am.
President Abdul Hamid, deputy speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah, chief whip ASM Firoz, ministers, AL leaders and politicians from different parties, noted personalities and people from all walks of life participated in his namaz-e-janaza.
Syed Ashraful was given the ‘Guard of Honour’ after the janaza held at 10:34am.
President Abdul Hamid, prime minister Sheikh Hasina, speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and AL leaders paid tribute by placing wreaths at his coffin.
Later, on behalf of the Awami League, its president Sheikh Hasina, flanked by party leaders, paid last tribute by placing wreaths at his coffin.
Hundreds of thousands of his colleagues, supporters and well-wishers converged on the parliament complex to pray for his departed soul.
Syed Ashraf, son of national leader and Bangabandhu’s close associate Syed Nazrul Islam, died of lung cancer at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok around 9:45pm on Thursday at the age of 67.
The body of Syed Ashraf was brought back home on Saturday evening.
An AL delegation, led by party general secretary Obaidul Quader, received the body at the airport.
Later, Ashraf’s body will be taken to his home district Kishoreganj by a helicopter where his second janaza will be held at Sholakia Eidgaon Maidan around 12:00noon.
Then his body will be taken to Mymensingh where another janaza will be held at Anjuman Eidgah after the Zohr prayers.
The mortal remains will be flown back to the capital from Mymensingh and will be laid to eternal rest at Banani Graveyard after Asr prayers.
Syed Ashraf was elected MP from Kishoreganj-1 constituency five times -- 1996, 2001, 2008, 2014 and 2018. In Sunday’s election, the AL leader came out successful from the parliamentary seat.
He, however, could not take oath on Thursday when all the Awami League MPs sworn in. The AL leader submitted a letter to the speaker on the day seeking time for taking the oath.