The namaz-e-janaza of Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson for the political platform Inqilab Mancha, will be held today after Zuhr prayers at the National Parliament Complex South Plaza, followed by his burial beside the grave of National Poet Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The organisation and family members have confirmed the matter. Separately, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has announced a one-day state mourning to mark Hadi’s death today.
Hadi was shot on 12 December while campaigning in Dhaka’s Paltan area, when he was travelling on a battery-run auto-rickshaw. He sustained critical head injuries and was immediately taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
As his condition deteriorated, he was later shifted to Evercare Hospital the same day.
On 15 December, Hadi was flown to Singapore by air ambulance for advanced treatment. He later died while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.
Earlier on Friday, Hadi’s first namaz-e-janaza was held at 10am at Angullia Mosque in Singapore.
His body was repatriated to Bangladesh on Friday evening aboard a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight (BG-585), which landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 5:48pm, according to airline and organisational sources.
The aircraft departed Singapore’s Changi International Airport at 4:03pm local time, corresponding to 2:03pm in Dhaka.
Md Shafiqur Rahman, managing director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said the national carrier had taken all necessary steps to ensure the dignified repatriation of the body.
After arrival in Dhaka, the body was taken to the mortuary of the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD).
Inqilab Mancha said there would be no public viewing of the body.
In a Facebook statement, Inqilab Mancha described Sharif Osman Hadi as a martyr and said his death had triggered widespread grief among activists and supporters.
Confirming Saturday’s programme, Chief Adviser’s Press Wing requested those attending the namaz-e-janaza not to carry bags or heavy objects. It also said the government had imposed a ban on flying drones in and around the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban premises.
The funeral arrangements were also confirmed in a social media post by Fatima Tasnim Zuma, secretary for Liberation War and Democratic Movement Affairs of the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (Ducsu).
She urged students and supporters to maintain discipline during the gathering to avoid any violence or disruption.
Abdullah Al Jaber, secretary of Inqilab Mancha and head of Hadi’s public relations team, told TIMES that the organisation would announce its next course of action after Saturday’s janaza.
He also said discussions had been held with the authorities regarding Hadi’s burial beside the grave of Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The burial site is located within a memorial complex designed by architect Mazharul Islam and inaugurated in 2009.
In addition to the national poet, the complex houses the graves of several prominent Dhaka University figures and other distinguished personalities of the country.
