BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia on Friday took iftar with her domestic help Fatema Begum in the Old Dhaka central jail with traditional items on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan.
A jail official, requesting anonymity, said processed gram or cchola, peaju, puffed rice, dates, juice and some fruits were on Khaleda’s iftar menu.
Khaleda has been in jail since February 8 after she was sentenced to five years' imprisonment in the Zia Orphanage Trust corruption case by a lower court. Fatema has been staying in prison with Khaleda with permission from the court.
Talking to UNB, the BNP chief's Personal Secretary, ABM Abdus Sattar, said Khaleda's family members tried to see her on the first day of Ramadan with iftar items, but jail authorities did not give them permission.
Jatiyatabadi Mohila Dal General Secretary, Sultana Ahmed, and her party colleagues also went to the jail gate with some iftar items for Khaleda, but jail authorities also rejected those.
BNP hosts iftar party for orphans, Islamic scholars
Khaleda habitually had iftar with orphan students and Islamic scholars on the first day of Ramadan every year.
The BNP hosted an iftar party at the city's Ladies Club this year as well for orphans and Islamic scholars.
The chair of the chief guest of the program was kept vacant as Khaleda was not there.
Speaking at the event, the party’s Secretary General, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, said they arranged the program with a heavy heart this year as their chairperson is now in jail.
"She used to take iftar with orphans on the first day of every Ramadan. But this time she took iftar alone in jail. It's very tragic for all of us. We pray to Allah that we get her back among us soon," he added.
Prior to the iftar, special prayers were offered seeking divine blessings for Khaleda's early recovery and release from jail.
