A tense situation unfolded at Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia early Saturday after the name of former president Ziaur Rahman was omitted during a munajat held in memory of Language Martyrs at the university’s Central Shaheed Minar.
Following protests by leaders and activists of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), a second prayer was conducted.
The incident took place around 1:00 AM after the university administration paid tribute to Language Martyrs by placing wreaths at 12:01 AM. Various organisations; including Zia Parishad, UTAB, different faculties and departments, residential halls, the university unit of Chhatra Dal, Chhatra Union and several socio-cultural bodies, also offered floral tributes.
After observing a one-minute silence, a munajat was led by Ashraf Uddin Khan, Imam and Khatib of the university’s central mosque.
However, the omission of Ziaur Rahman’s name during the prayer sparked anger among IU unit leaders and activists of Chhatra Dal, who alleged the exclusion was deliberate.
Amid protests, a second munajat was arranged. Among those present were IU Chhatra Dal Convener Sahed Ahmed, Member Secretary Masud Rumy, former General Secretary Rashedul Islam and other activists.
Sahed Ahmed claimed the omission was intentional. “The name of the founder of Islamic University, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, was not mentioned in the prayer on International Mother Language Day. The Imam has never missed his name before. We believe the celebration committee and administration were involved in the exclusion and we protested,” he said.
Imam Ashraf Uddin Khan, however, described the matter as an unintentional mistake. “It was an error on my part. Later, a second munajat was performed. The Pro-Vice-Chancellor had asked me to pray for the country, the new government and opposition parties. I do not recall being told to mention any specific names,” he said.
Professor Shahinuzzaman, Convener of February 21 Celebration Committee and university Proctor, rejected the allegations. He said the omission was inadvertent and that the Imam acknowledged the mistake before leading a second prayer, in which university authorities also participated.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor M Yeaqub Ali said he had asked the Khatib to pray for Ziaur Rahman, Khaleda Zia and members of the new government. “He may have forgotten for some reason. Human error is possible. After students protested, the munajat was offered again,” he said.
JR/SH
