Condolences pour in for Syed Ashraf

Tributes and condolences have been pouring in from all quarters for Awami League leader Syed Ashraful Islam.

His death creates a void in the country's politics, said statements from different organisations.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock immediately after learning about his death on Thursday night.

The former public administration minister breathed his last at Bumrungrad International Hospital in Bangkok at the age of 68.

Son of Syed Nazrul Islam, acting president of Mujibnagar Government, Ashraf had been suffering from lung cancer for long. He was flown to Thailand for treatment in July this year.

His death came just four days after he was elected MP in Kishoreganj-1. He had been a parliamentarian in the constituency since 1996.

Yesterday, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah, LGRD Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain, Law Minister Anisul Huq and Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid conveyed shock at his death.

In a message, Gonoforum President Dr Kamal Hossain and its general secretary Mostafa Mohsin Montu said the country lost a great heart and a patriot.

The country is in dire need of his role in a “confrontational” post-polls political situation, they said in a message.

He could have played a role in the interest of the nation by rising above “narrow party interests”, it added.

Lawmaker Rashed Khan Menon said Ashraf's legacy would remain alive.

Communist Party of Bangladesh conveyed sympathy to his family.

Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof Akhtaruzzaman said Ashraf was a politician with a clean image and he would be remembered as a pro-people leader.

Shammilita Samajik Andolon said he was an “uncompromising politician” in terms of upholding the non-communal spirit of the Liberation War.

The Oikya Nap, Progressive Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Tanti League, Bangladesh Jubo Moitri, Jubo League, Zaker Party, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, Krishibid Institution Bangladesh, Jatiya Muktijoddha Shamannay Committee, Bangladesh Nurses Association, and Imarat Nirman Sramik Union Bangladesh, among others, sent messages.

ASHRAF'S BODY ARRIVES TODAY

His body will be flown back home from Bangkok this evening, the AL said in a statement.

A Biman Bangladesh flight carrying his body will reach the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 5:30pm. An AL team led by Obaidul Quader will receive the body.

The body will briefly be taken to his government residence on Bailey Road around 7:00pm. The body will then be taken to the Combined Military Hospital mortuary.

On Sunday, Ashraf's first namaz-e-janaza will be held at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban's south plaza at 10:00am.

The body will be flown to Kishoreganj Old Stadium playground where a second namaz-e-janaza will take place at 12:00pm.

A third namaz-e-janaza will be held at the Anjuman Eidgah in Mymensingh at 2:00pm.

He will be buried at Banani Graveyard after the Asr prayers.