London: BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has sought prayers for his mother Begum Khaleda Zia, his late younger brother Arafat Rahman, and all martyrs of democratic movements. He participated in a prayer gathering at the Brick Lane Mosque in East London to mark Arafat Rahman’s death anniversary.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman remarked that the political landscape in Bangladesh has shifted since August 5, with further changes anticipated. He urged fulfillment of the common people’s expectations, encouraging support and solidarity with the populace. Rahman emphasized the liberation of Bangladesh by freedom fighters in 1971 and called for remembrance of those who sacrificed for the nation’s democracy.
He highlighted that democracy has been seized several times since independence, including in 1990 and under the AL regime, which was overthrown on August 5. Rahman recalled the loss of numerous leaders and activists from the BNP and other opposition parties to enforced disappearances over the past 15 years of dictatorship, as well as the suffering of many ordinary citizens.
In his prayers for the martyrs of the July-August movement, Rahman noted that nearly two thousand individuals were martyred, and over 30,000 were injured. The event was attended by UK BNP President and Chairperson’s Adviser MA Malek, General Secretary Koysor M Ahmed, and BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, among others.