UNB, Dhaka: Calling upon the country’s people to pray for salvation of the departed soul of her son Arafat Rahman Koko, BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia on Saturday asked the leaders and activists of the 20-party alliance to continue the blockade programme peacefully. “Madam (Khaleda) has requested all to pray for the eternal peace of her son Arafat Rahman Koko after every prayer,” BNP standing committee member Rafiqul Islam Miah said. He was speaking after a Qurankhawani held at the Gulshan political office of BNP chairperson Khaleda after Maghrib prayers. A special munajat was also held after the Qurankhawani. The BNP chief urged the leaders and activists of the 20-party combine to continue the blockade at the critical juncture of the country, Rafiqul Islam said. She also thanked the party leaders and activists and relatives who consoled her after the death of Koko, the BNP leader said. Meanwhile, Khaleda’s special assistant Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas said no decision has yet been taken about bringing the body of Koko and his namaz-e-janaza. “We’ll inform you once the decision is made,” he told reporters. Leaders of BNP, its alliance partners and associate bodies, including Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan, were present at the Qurankhawani. Meanwhile, former Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Emajuddin Ahmed said Koko’s will be brought back home soon. Another party source said the mortal remains of Koko will be flown home on Tuesday.
