Sydney Report: A prayer meeting was organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Australia and its affiliates at the Lakemba Library in Sydney, Australia’s Bangladeshi community, on Sunday, June 30, 2024, after Maghrib prayer. The meeting was held to pray for the swift recovery of BNP Chairperson, former three-time Prime Minister, Mother of Democracy, and persecuted national leader Begum Khaleda Zia. The event was presided over by Mr. Mohammad Omi Ferdous, acting president of Australia BNP, and conducted by General Secretary Mohammad Haidar Ali.

The chief guest, Barrister Naushad Zamir, International Affairs Secretary of the BNP National Executive Committee, addressed the gathering. He urged the government to release the ailing Begum Khaleda Zia on humanitarian grounds and arrange for her treatment abroad.

Special guest Mr. Rashidul Haque, International Affairs Secretary of the BNP National Executive Committee, called for parallel movements both domestically and internationally to strengthen the campaign for Begum Khaleda Zia’s release.

Another special guest, Mr. Shukkur Patowary, Vice President of Chandpur District BNP and former Upazila Chairman, expressed his gratitude to the Australia BNP leaders. He acknowledged the failure to secure Khaleda Zia’s release and praised the unwavering patriotism and love for Khaleda Zia shown by the expatriate community, which he believed would inspire future movements.

The event began with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Zahidur Rahman, Member Secretary of the Nationalist Volunteer Team, and prayers were led by KM Manjurul Haque Alamgir, Treasurer of Australia BNP.

Other local Australia BNP leaders who spoke at the event included Vice President Babul Talukdar, Joint Secretary Sheikh Ilyas Kanchan Shahin, and Organizational Secretary Ashraful Alam Roni. Convener Jahangir Alam, Member secretary Faruk Khan, Md Mofizal Islam Shagor of the Jubo Dal Australia, and convener Moshiur Rahman Tuhin, Jahidur Rahman member secretary Jahidur Rahman, join Convener Khaja Daud, Mohammad Mostafizur Rhaman, Murad Hossain, Wares Mahmud of the Sechchasebok Dal Australia, were also present. Leaders from BNP, Jubo Dal, Sechchasebok Dal , and all affiliate and supporting organizations attended the event.

It is noteworthy that similar prayer meetings were also held in Melbourne, Tasmania, and Western Australia today. In his closing remarks, the president thanked all guests and subcommittee leaders who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the event and invited everyone to partake in the ceremonial food, marking the end of the prayer meeting.