Thousands pay last respects to Saifur

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FE Report
Thousands paid their last floral-tribute to the former finance minister and veteran Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader M Saifur Rahman at his three namaj-e-janazas in the capital Sunday.
Hundreds of political leaders from all parties and a huge number of people attended the janazas held at three places.
The first namaj-e-janaza of Saifur was held at Gulshan Azad Mosque at about 11 am, while the second janaza was held in front of the BNP central office at Naya Paltan at about 12:30pm.
BNP secretary general Khandaker Delwar Hossain along with other senior leaders and activists attended both the janazas. The party bade adieu to its veteran leader with floral tributes on his coffin on the occasions.
Later, Saifur's body was taken to the South Plaza of Parliament where the third namaj-e-janaza was held at about 2:35 pm.
Speaker Adv Abdul Hamid, Deputy Speaker Col (retd) Shawkat Ali, Chief Whip Md Abdus Shahid, former speaker Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar, opposition chief whip Joynal Abdin Farroque, ministers, Dhaka city mayor, and people from all sections of society attended the janaza.
Former speaker Jamir Uddin Sircar and opposition chief whip Joynal Abdin Farroque, on behalf of BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, placed a wreath on the coffin of Saifur Rahman.
State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, on behalf of ruling Awami League, place another wreath on the coffin of Saifur Rahman.
Janaza will be held also at Shahi Eidgah Maidan in Sylhet at 1:00pm today (Monday), and at Moulvibazar Government High School ground before burial.
Later, Saifur will be laid to eternal rest at his family graveyard at Baharmardan village in Moulvibazar. His qulkhwani will be held at Gulshan Azad Mosque on Friday after Asr prayers.
The veteran BNP leader died in a car crash on Dhaka-Sylhet Highway at Khairala in Brahmanbaria at 2:30pm Saturday. He was returning to the capital from his ancestral home in Moulvibazar when his vehicle veered off the road and fell into a ditch. He was 77.
The BNP started a three-day mourning programme from Sunday to pay tribute to Saifur, with party flag hoisted half-mast and black flag hoisted at the party's central office in Naya Paltan.
BNP has kept a condolence book for paying homage to the memory of the veteran leader at the party chairperson's Gulshan office. Milad mahfil will be held at BNP offices across the country to pray for the veteran leader, as announced.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Sunday expressed his deep shock at the death of former finance minister M Saifur Rahman. In a condolence message to Naser Rahman, elder son of the late leader, Dr Manhoman said he has lost one of his old and true friends at the death of Saifur Rahman.
"Bangladesh has lost a true and patriotic leader, and the region has lost an able leader," the message said.
Recalling the contributions of Saifur Rahman, the Indian prime minister in his message said Saifur Rahman has immense contributions in establishing a modern and agro-based economy in Bangladesh.
He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed his sympathy to the members of the bereaved family.
Besides, more organisations Sunday expressed condolence at the death of M Saifur Rahman.
Leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) expressed profound shock at his death. The FBCCI leaders prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of Saifur Rahman and conveyed sympathy to members of the bereaved family.
They recalled the contribution of the former finance minister to the country's democracy and economic development, and said he was respectable to all, irrespective of party and opinion.
"We recall with gratitude sincere efforts and contribution of Saifur Rahman to introduce the country to an open market economy and in improving the living standard of the common people," said the FBCCI leaders in the message.
President Zafar Osman, members of the board of directors and officials of DCCI expressed deep sorrow at the sudden death of Saifur Rahman. In a statement, they prayed for salvation of his departed soul and conveyed sympathy to the members of his bereaved family.
Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) President Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed and General Secretary Prof Abul Barakat, in a joint statement, expressed deep shock at the death of Saifur Rahman.
Remembering his contribution in making BEA more vibrant and effective, he said "Saifur Rahman will always be remembered with honour and respect."
The Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) in a statement said the nation has lost a self-less patriot and a devoted economic reformist. Terming his death as an irreparable loss for the nation, the forum leaders expressed sympathy to the mourning family.
President of National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB) Sheikh M Abdus Sobhan on behalf of his association expressed condolence at the death of Saifur, and prayed for eternal peace of his departed soul. In another joint statement, leaders of 11 socio-political organisations condoled the death of Saifur Rahman.
The organisations include Zia Sena, Sachetan Juba Samaj, Bangladesh Sangskritik Academy, Bangladesh Sangskritik Parishad, Art Foundation, Narsingdi Human Development Foundation, Zia Nagorik Forum and Jatiyatabadi Muktijuddher Projanma.