BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Friday expressed deep shock at the death of Shah Ahmad Shafi, amir of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh.

In a condolence message, he said the death of a renowned Islamic scholar like Ahmad Shafi as an irreparable loss for the country’s people.

"The people of the country have been deprived of getting the right direction to follow in this world and the hereafter following the demise of the eminent Islamic thinker and scholar Shah Ahmad Shafi,” he said.

As an Islamic scholar, the BNP leader said Ahmad Shafi was widely respected. “The country has lost a dedicated and famous scholar with his death.”

He prayed for the salvation of the departed soul and conveyed his profound sympathy to the bereaved family members and his followers, fans and well-wishers.

Also read: Ahmed Shafi no more

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman Tarique Rahman also condoled his death.

Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi, the rector of Hathazari Madrasa and chief of Hefazat e Islam, breathed his last in a hospital in the capital on Friday evening, within 24 hours of resigning from his post at Hathazari in the face of student protests. He was 104.

Former student leaders and students who played significant roles in freeing Chittagong University from the grip of Jamaat-Shibir through a progressive movement,  united on Friday in the city to help one of the most brutally tortured former BCL leaders, Azad.

Chittagong University Ex Students Club, Dhaka President M Amin Helali, its General Secretary and ward councillor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Maruf Ahmed Monsura, a former BCL leader Zahiruddin Mahmud Lipton, former Presidents of CU Bangladesh Chattra League (BCL) M Shhjahan Chowdhury and and Kazi Mazharul Islam and former CU unit Presidents of Samajtrantrik Chatra Front Khokan Das and Julhas Nur, spoke at the programme and narrated tales from those tough days fighting against Shibir cadres on the campus. 

CU Shahjalal Hall unit BCL President Abul Kalam Azad narrated how brutally he was tortured by the Shibir men on the campus and the pain he is still bearing even after two decades. 

The former student leaders along with President and General Secretary of Chittagong University Ex Students Club, Dhaka handed over a cheque of Tk 15 lakh to Azad at the programme arranged by the former students of batches 28 to 32.

The former student leaders proposed to name Chittagong University rail station Chattar after Bakul, who was killed on the campus. 

They laid emphasis on identifying those who were tortured by the Shibir men and are now facing financial crisis so that they can be supported. 

The former student leaders also pledged to do something as a permanent solution to Azad's financial crisis  -who had stood first in admission test under the Commerce faculty.

Leaders and students of the 90s decade under the banner of "We are for Azad" arranged the programme at Jatiya Press Club conducted by Kazi Md. Diljeb Kabir of the 29th Batch CU.

At the beginning of the programme, one minute silence was observed remembering those who were killed by Jamaat Shibir men on the campus. 

Also read: 20 injured in BCL clash in Chittagong University, 52 held

They also demanded quick conclusion of trial of the case in connection with the killing of former CU unit BCL Vice President Ali Mortuza Chowdhury and expressed their displeasure over the delay. 

Imtiaz Awal Apu, Mehdi Hasan Tomal, Asarul Haque Konej, Shahidul Islam, M Yusuf, Subhroto Sen Rahul, Faruk Hossain Hridoy, Mirza Tipu and Emran Ahmed Bhuiya Dulal also spoke.

Police on Friday recovered the body of an Indian citizen from Dharala River of Patgram upazila in Lalmonirhat.

The deceased was identified as Alibul Islam, son of Md Roich Uddin of Mekliganj of Cooch Bihar in India.

Officer-in-charge of Patgram Police Station Sumon Kumar confirming the matter said the body has been sent to Sadar Hospital for autopsy.

Also read: Lalmonirhat hospitals: Everything’s available except doctors

A letter has been sent to Indian police for handing over the body, he said.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday expressed deep shock and sorrow at the death of Amir of Hifazat-e-Islam and a noted Islamic thinker Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi.

In a condolence message, Sheikh Hasina said Allama Shah Ahmad Shafi made a significant contribution to the propagation of Islamic education and also played a role in modernising Qawmi madrasa education system.

Also read: Ahmed Shafi no more

The Prime Minister prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed profound sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi, 104, breathed his last in a hospital in the capital on Friday evening.

Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) on Friday forecast light to moderate rain, thunder showers accompanied by temporary gusty wind for a few places over Khulna, Barishal and Chattogram divisions, in the next 24 hours since 6pm. 

The same was forecast for one or two places over Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh and Sylhet divisions, said a regular bulletin.

Summarising the situation, the BMD said the axis of monsoon trough was running through Panjab, Hariyana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gangetic, West Bengal to Assam across Central part of Bangladesh. One of its associated troughs was extending up to North Bay.

Also read: Rain likely to intensify from Monday: Met Office

Monsoon was fairly active over Bangladesh and weak to moderate over North Bay.

The BMD also said day temperature may rise slightly while it may fall slightly at night over the country.

The sun rises at 5:45am in capital on Saturday.