Zahiruddin Khan laid to rest
Staff Correspondent, Ctg
Former minister for industry and planning AM Zahiruddin Khan was laid to eternal rest at Batali Hill family graveyard after his second namaz-e-janaza following Juma prayers here yesterday.Zahiruddin Khan, also a renowned industrialist, died of cardiac arrest at Bamrungrad hospital in Bangkok at 9am BD time on Tuesday. He was 69. The deceased left behind wife, two sons, two daughters, four brothers, four sisters and a host of relatives and admirers. The body of Zahiruddin Khan was flown to Dhaka on Wednesday where his first namaz-e-janaza was held. The body was brought to Chittagong on Thursday evening. Ministers, lawmakers, political and business leaders irrespective of party affiliation as well as people from all strata of life attended the namaz-e-janaza conducted by Jamiyatul Falah Mosque Khatib Principal Moulana Jalaluddin Al Quaderi on the mosque premises. Finance and Planning Minister Saifur Rahman, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan, former commerce minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Mir Md Nasir Uddin, State Minister for Forest and Environment Jafrul Islam Chowdhury, Chittagong City Corporation Mayor ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury, Shahjahan Chowdhury MP, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed attended the namaz-e-janaza. Meanwhile, an unpleasant situation marked the janaza prayer when Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker from Satkania (Chittagong 14 constituency) Shajahan Chowdhury introduced ABM Mohiuddin Chowdhury as "former mayor" over the loudspeaker. He blurted out the remark while speaking at the outset of the namaz-e-janaza for Khan triggering tension among the participants, according to UNB. "The mayor moved forward and took over the microphone from Shajahan Chowdhury and tried to deliver his speech. At this stage, BNP activists snatched the mouthpiece from the mayor," says a spot account of the scene. However, Foreign Minister M Morshed Khan took control of the situation and said on the microphone that it was a funeral ceremony where everyone came to pray for the departed soul of Zahiruddin Khan and pay last respect to him. There was no scope for making any political speech, Morshed Khan made it clear to pacify the situation. Mayor Mohiuddin Chowdhury would not comment. He only said, "I fell victim to an unwanted situation."
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