Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday told Parliament that the late deputy speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah was very popular as he was elected MP repeatedly on public trust and confidence. “He was elected MP time and again from his constituency. He even won the election changing his political party. It means that his personal popularity and acceptance to the people is incomparable,” she said. The premier was speaking on a condolence motion on the death of Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah MP, and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and five former MPs. Also read: Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi passes away in NY She said Fazle Rabbi, as the deputy speaker, had performed his responsibilities with  competence. Hasina, the leader of the House, said public trust and confidence is very important for any political leader. “He (Fazle Rabbi Miah) successfully had been able to gain these.” She said he had always worked sincerely for the overall development of his constituents. “He was a dedicated soul and contributed to society in many ways. His death is a huge loss for us,” said the PM. Hasina expressed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members including, Fazle Rabbi’s daughter. Expressing deep shock at the death of former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe, the Bangladesh Prime Minister said the Japanese leader was a true friend of Bangladesh. The five former MPs who died are freedom fighter M Abu Saleh (Ganoparishad member), Abbas Ali Mondal, Alhaj Md Karim Uddin Bharsha, Mohammad Shoab and Khurshed Ara Haque. Also read: Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi’s mortal remains arrive in Dhaka Later, the condolence motion was passed by a voice vote.

Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah was the people’s advocate, said Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Monday. He was the pioneer of the country’s law field, Taposh said after attending Fazle Rabbi’s Namaz-e-Janaza at the National Eidgah premises this morning, according to a DSCC press release. “It is difficult to find people-friendly lawyers and politicians like Fazle Rabbi. No one uttered a single word against him during his long career as lawyer.” “And so he became a seven times lawmaker from Gaibandha-5,” he added. Expressing sorrow at the death of Fazle Rabbi, the mayor also prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family. The mortal remains of Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah arrived in Dhaka on Monday. Read: Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi laid to rest in Gaibandha The Deputy Speaker will be buried beside his two sons’ graves at the family graveyard in his village following a guard of honour by the government around 5pm, according to the Parliament Secretariat. Advocate Fazle Rabbi breathed his last on July 22 at 3.55pm (NY Time) at Mt Sinai Hospital in New York. He was 76.

Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah was laid to rest at his family graveyard in Gaibandha Monday afternoon. He was buried at 6pm at Gotia village of Saghata upazila in Gaibandha after his third namaz-e-janaza. His mortal remains were brought to Bonarpara Kazi Azahar Ali High School premises around 2pm by a helicopter from Dhaka airport. A flight of Emirates Airlines carrying Fazle Rabbi's body from New York reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 8:40am today. His first namaz-e-janaza was held at the National Eidgah in Dhaka around 10:30am. Before that, he was given a guard of honour by the Dhaka Deputy Commissioner's office. Later, floral wreaths were placed at his coffin on behalf of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury also laid a wreath over his coffin. People from all walks of life paid their last respects to the freedom fighter and seven-time lawmaker.

Bangladesh selectors added Fazle Rabbi Mahmud to the Test squad for the New Zealand tour to replace Shakib Al Hasan, BCB confirmed on Wednesday.  The 34-year old batter scored the most runs in the recently concluded 23rd National Cricket League where he made 630 runs at an average of 60.30.  Rabbi’s late inclusion came after ace all-rounder Shakib took leave from the NZ tour citing family reasons.  READ: Dhaka Test: Bangladesh lose by an inning and 8 runs Shakib was included in the squad when BCB announced the first list. But within a few hours after the announcement, Shakib sent a letter to BCB requesting a leave.  Bangladesh will face the hosts in a two-match Test series in January 2022 which will be a part of the 2021-2023 cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. The Bangladesh team will leave for New Zealand on Wednesday night for the series with the Tests scheduled in Tauranga and Christchurch Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka spin legend Rangana Herath has agreed to a two-year term as spin bowling coach of the Tigers. Herath will join the Bangladesh coaching team in New Zealand.  His contract is until the end of November 2023. Herath had earlier been the team’s spin consultant for the away series against Zimbabwe this year followed by the home series against Australia and New Zealand and the ICC Twenty20 World Cup. READ: Top Performers in the BAN vs PAK Test Series 2021 Bangladesh squad for New Zealand tour: Mominul Haque (Captain), Shadman Islam, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das, Nurul Hasan Sohan, Yasir Ali, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Abu Jayed Rahi, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Khaled Ahmed, Shohidul Islam, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mohammad Naim, Fazle Rabbi Mahmud.