Special prayers were held across the country on Friday, seeking the speedy recovery of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, who is currently undergoing treatment in the CCU of Evercare Hospital in the capital in a critical condition.
The prayers were offered at mosques across Bangladesh after Jum’a prayers at the initiative of BNP.
As part of the programme, BNP leaders, including its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, attended a doa mahfil at the Nayapaltan Jam-e-Mosque after the Jum’a prayers.
Fakhrul said prayers were also held in villages, towns and districts nationwide by BNP, its front and associate bodies, as well as ordinary people.
The party also urged prayer offerings at temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship for her recovery.
After the prayers, Mirza Fakhrul told journalists that their party chief remains in a serious condition.
He said an air ambulance provided by Qatar is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Saturday. “She will be flown to London for better treatment only if the doctors confirm she is fit to fly”
The BNP leader said highly experienced doctors from both home and abroad are treating her and believe she needs more advanced care, which is why arrangements are being made to shift her to a hospital in England.
Khaleda Zia’s flight uncertain before Sunday; her condition worsens slightly
Fakhrul said Khaleda Zia dedicated her life to the struggle for democracy. “She was kept in the central jail for a long time, and it is suspected her illness began there. Her condition worsened due to the lack of proper treatment.”
He recalled that Khaleda became severely ill during the Covid-19 period and suffered for nearly four years. “By the grace of Almighty Allah, she recovered for a while, but over the past few days her condition has deteriorated again."
Earlier talking to UNB, Fakhrul said Khaleda’s planned flight to London was delayed because the Qatar air ambulance did not arrive in time due to technical issues and her condition also worsened.
“It was not only the aircraft issue — her health condition was also a factor. Her condition deteriorated a bit yesterday (Thursday),” he said.