Koko laid to rest, record Janaza at Baitul Mukarram mosque

Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of late President Ziaur Rahman and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia was laid to rest at Banani Graveyard at about 6:53pm after his namaz-e-janaza at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque on Tuesday.
The body of Koko reached at Banani graveyard at about 6:10pm and the burial process begin at 6:30pm. The burial programme followed by a brief munajat. Senior BNP leaders—including Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar, Nazrul Islam Khan among others, were present.
Earlier, the namaz-e-janaza, attended by an unprecedented number of people, conducted by Khatib of Baitul Mukarram Prof Maulana Salahuddin Ahmed after asr prayer. Among those attended were leaders and activists of BNP and its front organisations and 20-party alliance and people from different walks of life.The eight-storey Baitul Mukarram Mosque, its premises and surrounding areas including South gate up tol Mohanagar Nattya Mancha and Zero point, Paltan intersection, North gate upto Janata Bank in Motijheel Commercial Area, space between Baitul Mukarram and Dhaka GPO, East gate, Stadium areas Dainik Banglar crossing and Motijheel area plus the DIT Avdenue turned into a human sea as the namaz-e-janaza was held at about 5:15pm.
The funeral prayer of Koko was delayed for sometime as the coffin reached Baitul Mukarram at about 4:45pm carried by an ambulance came late because of the crowd accompanying it on the way from BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office.
The ambulance left BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office at 2:50mpm and it took about two hours to reach Baitul Mukarram as thousands of party leaders and activists walked with it all the way chanting Kalema —Laialaha Illalah for praying salvation of the departed soul.
Senior BNP leaders, teachers, lawyers, journalists, family members, friends and well-wishers of Koko also took part in funeral prayer.
Khatib of Baitul Mukarram also conducted a brief munajat (prayer) after the namaz-e-janaza of Koko seeking the salvation of his departed soul.
After the namaz-e-janaza the coffin of Koko was kept on a temporally stage at the South Plaza of Baitul Mukarram for sometime to allow people to pay their respect and have last glimpse to his face.
Speaking before the janaza, his younger uncle Shamim Iskander sought pardon on behalf of Koko if he had hurt anyone and requested people to inform him if Koko owes any money from anyone.
He also sought blessing for the departed soul and tanked people for taking part in Koko’s funeral prayer.
Meanwhile, as part of the party programme, ghaibana namaz-e-janaza of Koko was also held at place across the country at 10:00am on Tuesday.
Though Khaleda Zia’s decided to bury Koko’s body at Banani Army Graveyard later the decision was changed as they did not get permission from the authority.
A laerge number of people from nearby districts including Naryanganj, Manikganj and Gazipur also took part in the Janaza.
However, BNP leaders alleged that the government did not allow public transport to Dhaka from outside the city yesterday so that more people cannot take part in it.
Earlier at 11:40am, the coffin containing the body of Arafat Rahman Koko, who died in Malaysia of heart attack, landed at the Airport.
A five-member BNP team led by standing committee member Dr Abdul Moeen Khan and Nazrul Islam Khan received the coffin at the airport. The other members of the delegation were Abdullah Al Noman, Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf and Giasuddin Quader Chowdhury.
Koko’s wife, two daughters and maternal uncle Shamim Iskander also came in the same flight carrying the coffin of Koko.
A heart rendering scene was observed when the body of Koko was reached at Gulshan office where his mother Khaleda Zia could not resist her tears.
The coffin was opened to let BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia and her family members to have their last glimpse of Koko’s face.
The former premier stood silently after touching her son’s face and bade him farewell in tears and after offering munajat when the coffin left her office towards by Baitul Mukarram for his funeral prayer and eventual burial.
Arafat Rahman Koko went to Thailand for treatment in 2008 after he was arrested. Later he went to Malaysia and leading a life of exile. – Staff Reporeter