Veteran Bangladesh Awami League leader also Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam was laid to eternal rest in the city’s Banani graveyard after Asr prayers on Sunday (Jan 6), three days after he breathed his last at the age of 68 on Thursday (Jan 3), local media reports said.
Body of Syed Ashraf, also Awami League Presidium member and former general secretary, arrived on the graveyard premises in the afternoon from Mymensingh where his third Namaz-e-Janaza was held at Anjuman Eidgah ground after Johr prayers. People of all walks of life, including political leaders and activists, gathered on the graveyard premises to have last glimpse of their beloved leader.
Earlier, his first Namaz-e-Janaza was held on the Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban’s south plaza at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. A guard of honour was given to him there. President Md. Abdul Hamid, deputy speaker, ministers, lawmakers, senior leaders of Awami League and other political parties joined the Namaz-e-Janaza.
President Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, Deputy Speaker Md Fazle Rabbi Miah, 14-party alliance spokesperson Mohammed Nasim, lawmakers and leaders of other political parties including Jatiyo Party and Jatiyo Samajtantrik Dal (JASAD), paid rich tribute to Syed Ashraf, an eminent politician and son of national leader Syed Nazrul Islam, by placing wreath on his coffin.
Later, Syed Ashraf’s body was taken by a helicopter to Kishoreganj, from where he was elected member of parliament (MP) for five times. His second Namaj-e-Janaza was held at the historic Sholakia Eidgah Maidan in the district town at 12 noon.
The body of the politician arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the evening by a Biman flight on Saturday (Jan 5), two days after he breathed his last at a Bangkok hospital. He had been suffering from lung cancer for long.
The body of the veteran Awami League leader was then taken to his official residence in Bailey road area where senior political leaders gathered to have last glimpse at him.
From his residence, the body was taken to the mortuary of Combined Military Hospital (CMH).
Syed Ashraf was born in Mymensingh in 1952. His father Syed Nazrul Islam was acting President of Mujibnagar Government in 1971 and one of the key figures of Bangladesh independence struggle.
Ashraf also served as the assistant publicity secretary of central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League.
