On the occasion of the 81st birthday of BNP Chairperson, three-time former successful Prime Minister, Mother of Democracy and uncompromising leader Begum Khaleda Zia, BNP leaders and activists on Friday organized Milad and Doa Mahfils at the Chairperson’s Office in Gulshan, the party’s central office in Nayapaltan, and in mosques and madrasas across the country, praying for her good health and long life. Special prayers were also held at various places of worship of other faiths. BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman joined the Doa Mahfil at Gulshan virtually from London.

Doa Mahfil at Gulshan Office

On Friday after Asr prayers, a Doa Mahfil was held at the BNP Chairperson’s Office in Gulshan marking Begum Khaleda Zia’s birthday. Tarique Rahman joined virtually as chief guest. The special prayer for Ziaur Rahman, Begum Khaleda Zia, Tarique Rahman, and the BNP family was led by Ulema Dal Convener Kazi Md. Selim Reza.

The program, conducted by BNP Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, was attended by Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Begum Selima Rahman, Salahuddin Ahmed, Professor Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain, central leaders Mir Nasir, Abdul Awal Mintoo, Ahmed Azam Khan, Amanullah Aman, Mizanur Rahman Minu, Ismail Jabiullah, Professor Dr. Forhad Halim Donar, A.N.H. Akhtar Hossain, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Moazzem Hossain Alal, Abdus Salam, Golam Akbar Khandaker, Habibur Rahman Habib, Afroza Khanam Rita, Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Professor Dr. ABM Obaidul Islam, Barrister Nasir Uddin Ahmed Asim, Baby Naznin, Abdul Bari Danny, Shirin Sultana, Nilufar Chowdhury Moni, Shammi Akhter, Rehana Akhter Ranu, Dhaka North BNP’s Aminul Haque, South BNP’s Tanvir Ahmed Robin, Kamal Zaman Nuruddin Molla, Ulema Dal’s Abul Hossain, Principal Nazrul Islam, Jubo Dal’s Sharif Uddin Jewel, Chhatra Dal’s Nasir Uddin Nasir, among many others from associate organizations.

Mirza Abbas: Khaleda Zia Faced Severe Torture in Prison

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas alleged that BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was subjected to severe torture in prison and demanded accountability for those responsible. Speaking at a Milad and Doa Mahfil at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan on Friday morning, organized on the occasion of her 81st birthday, he said:
“She was kept in a room in the abandoned central jail where rats and insects roamed. Some deputy jailers and jail authorities unjustly confined her in such a place. I demand justice for the atrocities and torture inflicted upon our national leader during her imprisonment.”

He further said:
“During BNP’s difficult days, Khaleda Zia led the party with resilience. We witnessed her firm morale despite immense pressure. Her uncompromising leadership on democracy and her affection for party leaders and activists are unmatched.”

Gayeshwar Chandra Roy: Fear Remains Until Vote Counting

BNP Standing Committee member Gayeshwar Chandra Roy expressed doubt about elections, saying:
“There remains public fear about the elections until vote counting is complete. Democracy is still out of reach. While we want to believe elections will happen, uncertainty lingers until the last moment.”
He warned leaders and activists:
“Conspiracies are ongoing around the elections. We must remain alert and avoid falling into traps.”

Speaking of Khaleda Zia’s political role, he said:
“She is not only BNP’s Chairperson but also a fighter for democracy and a guardian of the nation. She never celebrated her birthday personally; we, the party, arranged it.”

Nazrul Islam Khan: Tarique Rahman Will Restore Democracy

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan said:
“Ziaur Rahman brought democracy in place of BAKSAL, Begum Khaleda Zia restored democracy in place of military dictatorship, and Tarique Rahman will initiate democracy in place of fascism.”

At Friday’s Doa Mahfil in Nayapaltan, he said:
“Others who lost power took decades to return—Awami League took 21 years. But under Khaleda Zia’s leadership, BNP returned to power in just 9 years. She was the key architect of that achievement. The country’s economy revived under her leadership. Tarique Rahman will one day establish democracy in place of fascism, and we await that day.”

The event, conducted by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, was attended by leaders Amanullah Aman, Khairul Kabir Khokon, Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, Fazlul Haque Milon, Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Mir Sarafat Ali Sapu, Saiful Alam Nirab, Asadul Karim Shahin, Abdul Kadir Bhuiyan Jewel, Dhaka South BNP’s Rafiqul Alam Majnu, Jubo Dal’s Nurul Islam Nayan, among others.

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi: Reform Delays Bring Disaster

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi warned:
“Delaying in the name of reforms brings catastrophic danger. We saw this during the Fakhruddin-Moinuddin government, which paved the way for Sheikh Hasina’s monstrous rule.”

Speaking at a Doa Mahfil organized by the Swechchhasebak Dal on Friday marking Khaleda Zia’s 81st birthday, Rizvi said:
“The 1/11 government’s so-called reforms destroyed democracy and brought repression, abductions, and killings of countless BNP activists. The economy was devastated, and one-party BAKSAL was imposed. We don’t want such reforms. Necessary reforms for the people and the nation should be done, but elections must be held on the announced schedule in February.”

He added:
“Begum Khaleda Zia is the symbol of the country’s independence and sovereignty. Following her path, Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has led the movement that will topple the fascist Hasina regime. We pray for her good health and long life.”

The event, chaired by Swechchhasebak Dal President S.M. Zilani and conducted by General Secretary Rajib Ahsan, was also addressed by BNP Joint Secretary General Habib-un-Nabi Khan Sohel, Yasin Ali, Dr. Zahidul Kabir, and other leaders.