Staff Correspondent 
A Milad and Doa Mahfil was held in the capital’s Naya Paltan to mark the birthday of former Prime Minister and former BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The prayer gathering was organized at 11 a.m. on Saturday (August 15) in front of the BNP central office in Naya Paltan.
Speaking at the event, recently retired BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described Khaleda Zia as the key figure who helped bring the party to its present position.
The programme was moderated by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi. Maulana Advocate Abul Hossain, Member Secretary of the Jatiyatabadi Olama Dal, conducted the munajat and prayers.
A large number of BNP leaders, activists and supporters participated in the prayer session.
Before the Milad and Doa, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Khaleda Zia was a fearless democratic leader who dedicated her entire life to the cause of democracy. He said she was born on this day and that her life had become deeply intertwined with the fate of Bangladesh.
According to Fakhrul, through her uncompromising leadership and prolonged struggle, Khaleda Zia repeatedly helped restore democracy in Bangladesh and led the struggle to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.
He further said that through years of struggle, refusing to compromise on principles, keeping the party united and recognizing the sacrifices of party leaders and activists, Khaleda Zia brought BNP to its current position. He said she was the main architect behind BNP becoming a genuinely democratic mass-based political party. Her ideals and inspiration, he added, continue to guide the party’s leaders and activists.
Mirza Fakhrul also called upon the people of Bangladesh to offer special prayers and seek forgiveness for former President Shaheed Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia.
Earlier, BNP had announced programmes across Dhaka and other parts of the country, including Milad and Doa Mahfils at party offices and mosques, to mark Khaleda Zia’s birthday. The Naya Paltan prayer gathering was held as part of the centrally announced programme.
