Special prayers have been offered seeking the forgiveness of the soul of Sharif Osman Hadi, a frontline fighter of the July mass uprising and convener of the Inqilab Mancha. On Friday (19 December), prayers were held for him after Jumu’ah at the national mosque Baitul Mukarram, as well as at various mosques across the capital.
The prayers sought a high place for Hadi in Paradise and asked that he be accepted as a martyr.
Earlier, Hadi passed away at 9:45 pm on Thursday night at Singapore General Hospital (Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji‘un). Having been declared a prospective candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, Hadi succumbed after battling for his life for seven days.
The government has declared Saturday a day of state mourning over the death of the brave fighter of the July mass uprising. Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus made the announcement in a televised address to the nation after news of Hadi’s death in Singapore emerged on Thursday night. He said the state would take responsibility for Hadi’s wife and only child.
It has been learned that Hadi’s body will arrive in the country today at 6:05 pm. His funeral prayer (janaza) will be held tomorrow after Zuhr at Manik Mia Avenue. However, the place of burial has not yet been decided.
Last Friday (12 December) afternoon, Sharif Osman Hadi, a prospective independent candidate for the Dhaka-8 constituency, was shot on Box Culvert Road in Puranapaltan while campaigning for the election.
After being shot in the head, Hadi was taken in critical condition to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital. Last Monday afternoon, he was flown to Singapore by air ambulance for advanced treatment. His brother accompanied him, along with Bangladeshi doctors and nurses.