Tarique Rahman seeks doa for all democratic movements martyrs joining a doa mahfil marking the death anniversary of the Arafat Rahman at Brick Lane Mosque in East London on Friday (January 24) night. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Jan 25, 2025 (BSS) - BNP acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has sought doa for his mother Begum Khaleda Zia, late younger brother Arafat Rahman and all the martyrs of the democratic movements.

He was joining a doa mahfil marking the death anniversary of the Arafat Rahman at Brick Lane Mosque in East London on Friday (January 24) night.

Tarique Rahman said the country's political landscape has changed in Bangladesh after August 5 and it may witness more changes in phases. 

"The expectations of the common people will increase further. Let us work to fulfill those expectations. Stand by the people," he said.

The acting chairman of BNP further said Bangladesh was liberated by freedom fighters in 1971. He urged all to remember those who sacrificed their lives to free Bangladesh and for establishing democracy.

Since independence, conspirators had seized democracy several times including in 1990 as well as by the AL regime which has been overthrown on August 5, he said.

He recalled that many leaders and activists of BNP and other opposition parties were killed and fell prey to enforced disappearance in the last 15 years of that dictatorship. 

Not only political activists, but many ordinary people have also been tortured and oppressed, he said.

Praying for the peace of the souls of the martyrs in the July-August movement, Tarique Rahman said nearly two thousand people were martyred in the movement, more than 30 thousand people were injured.

UK BNP President and Chairperson's Adviser MA Malek and General Secretary koysor M Ahmed and BNP Standing Committee Member Dr. AZM Zahid Hossain were present at the event, among others.