Arafat Rahman Koko’s 57th birth anniversary today

Arafat Rahman Koko, the younger son of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, would have turned 57 today.

Born on August 12, 1969, Koko died in Malaysia on January 24, 2015, after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has arranged programmes to mark his birth anniversary, including a tribute at his grave at Banani Cemetery. A discussion meeting is also scheduled at the party’s central office in Naya Paltan, with leaders and activists expected to attend.

Although born into one of Bangladesh’s most prominent political families, Koko largely remained away from the spotlight and was known for his quiet and private nature. He was, however, involved in the country’s sports sector, particularly cricket.

Koko was associated with the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) from 2002 to 2005 and took part in efforts aimed at strengthening the country’s cricket administration and infrastructure. People familiar with his work have credited him with supporting initiatives to keep cricket separate from political influence.

Unlike his family’s prominent political profile, Koko focused largely on his work in sports and maintained a low public profile.

He died in Kuala Lumpur in January 2015 at the age of 45. Since then, his birth anniversary has been marked annually by BNP leaders, activists and supporters through prayers, visits to his grave and memorial programmes.