Khaleda takes iftar with Fatema in jail

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia yesterday took iftar with her domestic help Fatema Begum in old Dhaka Central Jail with traditional items on the first day of Ramadan.

A jail official wishing anonymity said cooked chickpea, peaju, muri (puffed rice), date, juice and some fruits were in the BNP chief's iftar menu.

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Khaleda has been in the jail since February 8 as she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case by a lower court. Fatema has been staying with her with court permission.

Talking to UNB, BNP chief's Personal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said Khaleda's family members tried to meet her yesterday with iftar items, but they did not get permission from the jail authorities.

Besides, Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal General Secretary Sultana Ahmed along with her party colleagues went to the jail gate with some iftar items for Khaleda, but the jail authorities did not accept those.

Khaleda used to take iftar with orphan students and alem-ulema (Islamic scholars) on the first day of Ramadan every year.

The BNP hosted an after party at the city's Ladies Club this year as well for orphans and alem-ulema.

The chair of the chief guest of the programme was kept vacant as Khaleda was not there.

Speaking at the programme, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said they arranged the programme with a heavy heart this year as their chairperson was now in jail.

“She used to take iftar with orphans every year on the first day of Ramadan. But this time, she took iftar solitarily in jail. It's very tragic for all of us. We pray to Allah so that we get her back among us soon," he added.

Prior to the iftar programme, a munajat was offered seeking early recovery of Khaleda from illness and her release from jail.