Dhaka: The 10th death anniversary of Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, is being observed today. To mark the occasion, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its associate bodies have organized various programs to honor his memory, starting with a doa mahfil at the Nayapaltan central office at 11 am, aimed at seeking eternal peace for Koko’s departed soul.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas, along with senior leaders from central, metropolitan, and affiliate organizations, will attend the event. A Quran recitation and prayer session will also take place at 10 am at Banani Graveyard, where BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and other central leaders will lay wreaths at Koko’s grave and offer fateha.
Further commemorative activities include a doa mahfil at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office after Asr prayers at 4:30 pm, attended by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, party standing committee members, and central leaders. The BNP’s UK chapter plans to hold a doa mahfil at Brick Lane Mosque in London following Asr prayers, as stated by Shairul Kabir Khan.
Various associate and professional bodies of the BNP, along with its city and district units, will also participate in observing the day through discussions and prayer sessions across the country. Koko passed away at the age of 45 on January 24, 2015, due to cardiac arrest in Malaysia. His body was brought back to Bangladesh on January 27 and interred at Banani Graveyard.