BNP to hold dua mahfil today to mark Khaleda’s 77th birthday

BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia

Bangladesh desk: The main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party will organise a doa mahfil at the party central office in the city’s Naya Paltan today, marking the 77th birthday of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia seeking divine blessings for her early recovery from diseases and long life.

BNP Dhaka North and South units will hold the programme at 11:30am, a day after her birthday earlier celebrated on August 15.

Prayers will be offered to seek blessings and peace for the departed souls of those that sacrificed their lives in the ongoing democratic movement across the country and for recovery of those wounded, said a press release issued on Monday.

BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee members will be present at the prayer session.

BNP used to observe Khaleda’s birthday on August 15 since 1991, but there are controversies about her actual date and year of her birth.

Amid criticisms by the Awami League leaders for celebrating her birthday on the National

Mourning Day, BNP marked Khaleda’s 72nd to 76th birthdays by holding prayer sessions instead of cutting cakes on August 15.