Concern for Khaleda Zia goes far beyond BNP, says Rizvi

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said not only BNP leaders and activists but people across the country are deeply worried and sympathetic over the illness of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

“We will pray only to Allah for the recovery of our leader Khaleda Zia. She is the symbol of people’s trust in this country,” he said while supervising a Qurankhwani and the slaughtering of goats as sadaqah-e-jariyah at his residence in the capital.

Rizvi said Khaleda had led the nation through many critical junctures, never left the country, and remained beside people with courage and determination despite repeated attempts to remove her from the political landscape.

“Today, it is not just the BNP or its associate and front organisations—Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Sechchhasebak Dal and Mohila Dal—who are worried. People outside the party are also gripped by deep concern and sympathy. It is difficult to express in words the emotions surrounding her critical illness,” Rizvi said.

Speaking about the religious activities held for her recovery, he said orphans and madrasah students had been reciting the Holy Qur’an since morning under the guidance of an imam present at the event.

“We firmly believe Allah will accept their prayers, Qur’an recitation, and this sadaqah-e-jariyah,” he added.

Under the supervision of Kofil Uddin Ahmed, joint convener of BNP’s Dhaka North unit, goats were slaughtered as sadaqah-e-jariyah seeking Khaleda Zia’s recovery, and the meat was distributed among the poor and destitute.

Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with several health complications. As her condition deteriorated, she was shifted to the CCU on November 27, where she remains under close observations.