The solemnity of Jum'a prayers gave way to smiles and laughter as Prime Minister Tarique Rahman paused to spend unhurried moments with children and adolescents outside a mosque at Banani in the capital on Friday.
Surrounded by curious children, he exchanged greetings, shared light-hearted remarks and posed for photographs, turning an ordinary afternoon into a memorable encounter for many.
The Prime Minister offered Jum'a prayers at the central mosque of the Navy Headquarters in Banani, said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.
He said Tarique Rahman’s wife, Dr Zubaida Rahman, also offered her prayers in a separate area of the mosque for women.
After the prayers, as the Prime Minister was leaving, he went to greet the children and adolescents, exchanged pleasantries with them and inquired about their wellbeing.
Before returning home from the mosque, Rumon said, the children were excited and spoke happily with the Prime Minister.
During the exchange, a young child asked him, “Uncle, do you fast?” Holding the child’s hand, the Prime Minister replied, “Yes, I do.”
As he shook hands with the children and gently patted some on the head, he asked, “Do you all fast?” The children replied in unison, “We also fast.”
One child greeted the Prime Minister with “Assalamu Alaikum” and said, “Uncle, I fasted all except today.”
The Prime Minister patted the child on the head and said, “That’s good.” Another child said, “Uncle, I fasted all the days,” to which the Prime Minister responded, “Very good.”
The interaction created a joyful and lively atmosphere among the children, who smiled and chatted freely with the Prime Minister.
He shook hands with many of them and asked how they were doing.
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Later, as Zubaida Rahman left the mosque, the Prime Minister bade farewell to the children, saying “Allah Hafez.”
At that time, the children said, “Uncle, please pray for us.” The Prime Minister waved to them before walking towards his vehicle.