Morelganj (Bagerhat)Correspondent

Former President Ziaur Rahman was the pioneer in incorporating "Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim" into the Constitution of Bangladesh for the first time. In 1979, it was included at the beginning of the Constitution through the Fifth Amendment. The same amendment also added "absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah" in Article 8 of the Constitution.

Kazi Khairuzzaman Shipon, a BNP leader from Bagerhat-4 constituency, made these remarks at a prayer and iftar gathering organized by the BNP of Khaulia Union-16 in the newly constructed mosque premises of Dhansagar School field in Morelganj on Tuesday.

In his keynote speech, Kazi Khairuzzaman Shipon said, "President Ziaur Rahman played an invaluable role in reflecting Islamic values in the Constitution of Bangladesh. He was not only a freedom fighter but also a key figure in shaping the nation’s political and religious consciousness."

During his speech, he also stated that certain vested groups are misleading the people in the name of Islam. He accused them of misappropriating public resources allocated for the common people by manipulating government offices for their personal gains. Urging caution against such individuals, he emphasized the need to put an end to the exploitation of religious sentiments for political benefit.

The event was attended by Morelganj Upazila BNP Convener Shahidul Haque Babul, Municipal BNP Convener Shikdar Faridul Islam, Upazila BNP Joint Conveners Shamim Ahsan Fakir, Samad Hossain Fakir, Afzal Jomaddar, Upazila Labor Party President Majnu Mollah, Municipal Labor Party President Masud Khan Chunnu, General Secretary Moshiur Rahman, as well as Sharankhola BNP leader Enayet Hossain and other leaders and activists of the BNP and its affiliated organizations.

During a special prayer session, BNP leaders and activists prayed for the swift recovery and release of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Later, following the instructions of BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Kazi Khairuzzaman Shipon distributed iftar meals and Eid clothes among orphans and the underprivileged.

The event turned into a gathering of grassroots BNP activists, and after iftar, local leaders discussed future political and humanitarian initiatives.