United News of Bangladesh

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, virtually joined a party meeting and spoke for the first time on Sunday (November 23). A short video showing Zaima taking part in the virtual meeting of expatriate party leaders has gone viral on social media. The meeting, held on Sunday with BNP leaders based abroad and a European representatives’ team, discussed expatriate voting activities. From Dhaka, BNP Chairperson’s Advisory Council member Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and BNP Media Cell convener Mowdud Hossain Alamgir Pavel joined virtually. Zaima, who has so far stayed away from formal political activities, was seen thanking participants in the 39-second video clip. “Thank you, everyone. Thank you for coming and for all the work you have done. You have shared your thoughts, the problems and the advantages. A few issues have been discussed. Rizvi uncle has taken notes, Pavel uncle too. We will see centrally how much we can do,” she said. Read more: Tarique cites Prophet’s ideals, seeks Islamic scholars’ support for BNP “The work must move forward. Everyone is in touch with each other and should help in every possible way. Khokon uncle explained well how things should be done according to time. We should not delay. We should prioritise and work according to the schedule. Thank you so much,” Zaima added. BNP Media Cell member Atikur Rahman Rumi told UNB that although Zaima joined the virtual meeting and spoke, the video was not released officially. “It has not been published by the BNP Media Cell or on Zaima Rahman’s own page. Someone secretly recorded a short clip and posted it on social media,” he said. This is the first time Zaima has been seen in a BNP organisational meeting related to expatriate voting activities. Earlier, she attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC on 5–6 February this year as part of a BNP delegation. The three-member team was led by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, with Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury also present. Last month, in an interview with the BBC, Tarique Rahman was asked whether his family members — including his wife Dr Zubaida Rahman and daughter Zaima Rahman — would join politics in the future. Tarique replied, “Time and circumstances will say.” Zaima moved to London with her parents in 2008. She completed her schooling, secondary and higher studies there.  She earned her Law degree from Queen Mary University of London and later completed her Bar-at-Law from Lincoln’s Inn. Read more: Khaleda admitted to Evercare Hospital with chest infection

BNP on Monday urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to make clear her stance on offensive comments made by State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hassan against the Zia family. “A very disgusting, derogatory and indecent campaign has been carried out on social media against the Zia family by an infamous person. I’ve heard he was a doctor probably from Jamalpur’s Sarishabari… shame on him,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Speaking at a discussion, he said the junior minister made a "dangerous" comment that he does everything at the behest of the Prime Minister and she knows everything that he says. “From this meeting, I want to ask the Prime Minister to clarify whether it’s true or a lie. You’ve to explain it as it’s your responsibility to protect the security of people and their dignity as Prime Minister. At the same time, we also want to know your government’s stance when a minister can make such an awful statement in the media involving you (PM),” the BNP leader said. He also alleged that the current government is destroying the country’s culture, sense of courtesy and long tradition. “You’ve already destroyed politics in the country. Will you now ruin the minimum values and respect for our mothers and sisters? ” Also read: BNP seeks junior minister Murad’s resignation, his apology Fakhrul strongly protested and denounced the indecent comments of Dr Murad. Pro-BNP student leaders of All-Party Students Unity (Apsu) of the 90s arranged the programme at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh marking the Democracy Day commemorating the fall of autocratic ruler HM Ershad in 1990. The BNP leader said the freedom fighters liberated Bangladesh in 1971 and the student leaders created a mass upsurge against the autocracy in the 90s to build a democratic, independent and civilised country. “The current government, led by Sheikh Hasina, turned it into an uncivilised, obscene, disrespectful country." Murad’s involved with Chhatra Dal Fakhrul regretted that Dr Murad was once involved with Chhatra Dal, the BNP’s student body. “He was the publicity secretary of Chhatra Dal at Mymensingh Medical College. He later joined Chhatra League.” However, Dhaka south city unit Jubo Dal convener Golam Mawla Shaheen, who was there in the audience gallery, instantly protested Fakhrul’s comment and urged him to withdraw it as he claimed Murad had never any involvement with Chhatra Dal. In reply, Fakhrul said, “Don’t talk nonsense. You don’t know about it.” As Shaheen continued shouting, Fakhrul repeatedly asked him to stop, creating chaos. Later, the party’s other senior leaders brought the situation under control and convinced Shaheen to remain silent. Also read: BNP wants 90s-like unity of democratic forces to ‘oust’ govt Standing by his comment, Fakhrul said it is unfortunate that Dr Murad did the politics of Chhatra Dal once. “Later he became the leader of Chhatra League and its president (of Mymensingh Medical College unit). It’s unfortunate that such a boy was there in Chhatra Dal at that time.” Earlier, BNP standing committee member Mirza Abbas said a person was hired from the footpath and inducted into the cabinet due to the degradation of the government. “The people of Bangladesh don't want to see ministers from footpaths and they don’t want to see the thieves, swindlers and those take bribes as ministers. People also don't want to hear their rubbish comments,” he said. Abbas said making indecent remarks against Khaleda Zia, who is fighting for life, and her family members can't be tolerated. “We won’t tolerate such comments… the Secretariat of Bangladesh has been desecrated by giving such dirty person a place in the cabinet.”