BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Tuesday said anxiety over the deteriorating health of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has spread far beyond the party’s own ranks, with people from all walks of life expressing solidarity and concern.
Rizvi made the remarks while overseeing Qur’an recitation and the slaughtering of goats as sadaqah-e-jariyah at his residence in Dhaka, organised to pray for Khaleda Zia’s recovery.
“We pray to Almighty Allah for the recovery of our leader Khaleda Zia. She embodies the trust of the people of this country,” Rizvi said, adding that her decades of political leadership and commitment to the public had earned her broad respect.
He noted that Khaleda Zia had guided the nation through critical moments and consistently remained in the country, standing beside the people despite repeated political pressure and attempts to sideline her. “This concern is not limited to BNP or its affiliated organisations such as Jubo Dal, Chhatra Dal, Sechchhasebak Dal or Mohila Dal. Many outside the party are also deeply worried. The public emotion surrounding her illness is difficult to describe,” he said.
Rizvi added that orphans and madrasah students had spent the morning reciting the Qur’an under the supervision of an imam as part of the prayers for Khaleda’s health.
“We believe Allah will accept their prayers, the recitation, and this sadaqah-e-jariyah,” he said.
Kofil Uddin Ahmed, joint convener of BNP’s Dhaka North unit, supervised the slaughtering of goats, with the meat distributed among low-income families.
Khaleda Zia was admitted to Evercare Hospital on November 23 with multiple health complications. Her condition worsened days later, and she was transferred to the CCU on November 27, where she remains under close observation.
