Our Correspondent :
Tens of hundreds of Muslims attended the namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayers) of Golam Sarwar Sayeedi, the principal of Araibari Islamia Sayeedia Alia Madrasa, in Brahmanbaria on Saturday, ignoring the risk of a second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The eminent Islamic scholar died at Apollo Hospital in the capital at around 4:15am on Saturday while undergoing treatment. In the morning, the body was brought to Araibari Darbar Sharif in Brahmanbaria’s Kasba upazila.
Golam Sarwar Sayeedi, the principal of Araibari Islamia Sayeedia Alia Madrasa, in Brahmanbaria | Dhaka TribuneMuslims from different parts of the district started gathering there as soon as the news of the religious scholar’s death spread.
After Asr prayers (4:45pm), the namaz-e-janaza of the scholar was held at Araibari Darbar Sharif with the participation of hundreds and thousands of Muslims. Golam Sobhan Sayedee, the only son of the late scholar, led the namaz-e-janaza. Before the namaz-e-janaza, Law Minister Anisul Huq, the Brahmanbaria 4 constituency lawmaker, prayed for the soul of the departed. Golam Sarwar Sayeedi’s body was later buried at Araibari Darbar Sharif.
Kasba Upazila Nirbahi Officer Masul Ul Alam, Kasba police station Officer-in-Charge Lokman Hossain, Kasba Upazila Parishad Chairman Rashedul Kauser and Kasba Municipality Mayor Emran Uddin were also present at the namaz-e-janaza.
Asked about the maintenance of health safety rules, UNO Masud said: “We were conscious [about health rules]. Three executive magistrates were deputed to ensure that hygiene rules were followed. There were no shortcomings in our efforts.”
OC Lokman, regarding the issue, said: “A large number of people were present. We were busy maintaining law and order at the place. But we tried to ensure that everyone present followed health directives.”
Brahmanbaria Civil Surgeon Ekram Ullah said: “There shouldn’t be a problem if health rules were followed. If not, there is definitely some risk [of people contracting coronavirus].”
Notably, as many as 100,000 people flocked to the namaz-e-janaza of Maulana Jubayer Ahmed Ansari, a senior nayeb-e-ameer of Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, in Brahmanbaira’s Sarail upazila on April 18 this year.
Then on August 9, thousands from different parts of the country travelled to the district for the last rites of Moniruzzaman Siraji, principal of Bhadghor Jamia Sirajia Darul Ulum Madrasah of Brahmanbaria.
