Mirza Fakhrul visits Jamaat Ameer at hospital

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir visited Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman at a private hospital in the capital on Saturday evening (July 19), following the Jamaat leader’s sudden illness during a major rally at Suhrawardy Udyan.

The visit was confirmed by BNP Media Cell member Shairul Kabir Khan.

Shafiqur Rahman fell ill twice while addressing the rally, which was organised to press for electoral reforms and political accountability.

According to the witnesses, he lost balance during his speech around 5:15pm, and had to be assisted by fellow leaders on stage. Despite attempting to resume his address, he clutched his chest and fell ill again shortly after. He ultimately completed his speech seated, visibly weak.

Before concluding, he told supporters, “As long as Allah gives me life, I will continue to speak. Do not be saddened. May Allah grant me a martyr’s death,” before shouting “Allahu Akbar, Bangladesh Zindabad.”

Doctors attending to Shafiqur Rahman later confirmed that his condition is stable and he is under observation.