Jamaat chief Shafiqur Rahman to visit Shaheed Minar, for first time

11-party alliance MPs will accompany him, a media release says

Jamaat-e-Islami chief and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman has decided to visit the Central Shaheed Minar on the occasion of International Mother Language Day.

While the party's student front Islami Chhatra Shibir has traditionally held rallies and discussions on this day, this marks the first time a Jamaat chief will visit the national monument to offer floral tributes.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, the party's media wing said Shafiqur will visit the Shaheed Minar on the morning of Feb 21 as "part of state rituals".

He will be accompanied by members of parliament from the 11-party alliance.

A later statement issued on Friday night, however, clarified that the visit will take place at 12:01am on Saturday, not in the morning as initially announced.

After paying tribute at the Shaheed Minar, Jamaat chief is scheduled to visit the graves of the language martyrs at Azimpur Graveyard to offer prayers, it said.