.svg)
Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), has reportedly resorted to offering his Friday Juma prayers in secrecy at a distant mosque after being increasingly overwhelmed by a surge of visitors and selfie-seekers at his usual mosque in Kingston, London.
For over sixteen years, the exiled BNP leader, who resides in the UK, had been a regular attendee at the Kingston Jame Mosque, located near his home. However, sources confirm that since the political shifts in Bangladesh last August, the mosque has become a magnet for individuals from Bangladesh and across Europe and America eager to meet him. This influx of visitors, coupled with persistent photo and selfie requests, has led Tarique Rahman to curtail public engagements.
Furthermore, to avoid controversy surrounding meetings and certain individuals, he has adopted a stricter approach to granting appointments. Insiders familiar with Tareque Rahman's Kingston residence reveal that even influential figures arriving from Bangladesh have been unable to secure a short meeting, with one such individual reportedly waiting in London for three days without success.
A BNP leader with close family ties to Tarique Rahman in London noted that the eagerness to meet him now extends from the vicinity of Khaleda Zia's hospital to the supermarket near his residence and even the garage where he services his car. Some individuals are even waiting around his Kingston home in anticipation of an opportunity.
Frustrated by their inability to schedule meetings through Tarique Rahman's aides and UK BNP leaders, these individuals have increasingly congregated at the Kingston Jame Mosque, where he has prayed for nearly fifteen years. This includes those seeking party positions in upcoming UK BNP and Swechchhasebok Dol committees, nomination hopefuls for various roles in Bangladesh, all armed with their Curriculum Vitaes and paper cuttings of previous activities. The sheer volume of people inside and outside the mosque, often surrounding Tareque Rahman's vehicle, created embarrassing situations for him in front of fellow worshippers. Sources confirmed to Daily Dazzling Dawn that his personal staff were struggling to manage the unprecedented crowds.
Consequently, for the past eight weeks, Tarique Rahman has ceased attending Juma prayers at the Kingston Jame Mosque. He is now reportedly offering his Friday prayers at a mosque located further away, with the specific location known only to a select few within his inner circle.
Several senior UK BNP leaders have confirmed to Daily Dazzling Dawn that Tarique Rahman has indeed stopped attending the Kingston Mosque near his home to avoid the persistent crowds and those seeking his audience. He is now offering his Juma prayers discreetly at a more distant location to maintain privacy.
Meanwhile, Ishraq Hossain, who contested the 2020 Dhaka South City Corporation mayoral election for the BNP, recently travelled to London to meet Tarique Rahman. Former Sylhet City Mayor Ariful Haque Chowdhury also arrived in London on Sunday to seek a short meeting with Tarique Rahman.
When will Khaleda Zia return to Bangladesh?
Multiple reliable sources have indicated that preparations are underway for Begum Khaleda Zia's return to Bangladesh by the seventh of May, subject to the availability of a Qatar Airways air ambulance. However, UK BNP General Secretary Kayser M. Ahmed stated that the date of Madam's return has not yet been finalized.
