Dhaka, Bangladesh Global: Sharif Osman Hadi, the fearless frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, passed away while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital after fighting for his life for six days. “Today, I came before you with very heartbreaking news. Sharif Osman Hadi, the fearless frontline fighter of the July Uprising and spokesperson of the Inqilab Mancha, is no more among us. Singapore's Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrishnan informed the matter over phone a few minutes ago,” Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said while addressing the nation tonight.
“May the Almighty Allah accept this immortal soldier of the struggle against fascism and hegemony as a martyr. We all pray this together,” the Chief Adviser said. State-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) and BTV News simultaneously broadcast the speech at 11:30 pm. Hadi, also an aspiring independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on December 12 while he was on a battery-run auto-rickshaw in the city’s Paltan area.
Prof Yunus expressed deep shock and sorrow at the untimely death of Sharif Osman Hadi, saying his demise caused an irreparable loss to the political and democratic sphere of the country. “I pray for the eternal peace of his departed soul and convey my deepest sympathy to his bereaved wife, family members, relatives and colleagues,” he said.
The Chief Adviser also said that the government will take responsibility for the wife and only child of martyr Osman Hadi. He declared a one-day state mourning on Saturday for the untimely death of martyr Sharif Osman Hadi, saying, on the day, the national flag will be hoisted at half-mast on Saturday in all government, semi-government, autonomous offices, educational institutions, government and private buildings, and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Prof Yunus said special prayers seeking forgiveness for Hadi’s departed soul will be organised in every mosque across the country after Jumma prayers today and called on the countrymen to join the prayer. He also said that special prayers will also be organised in places of worship of other religions.
The Chief Adviser expressed special gratitude to the Singaporean government, especially to Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who is also a doctor, saying, they have shown great sincerity and professionalism in Hadi's treatment. “He (Balakrishnan) personally cared for Hadi and gave me updates about his (Hadi’s) treatment,” he added.
Reiterating that all the criminals involved in this brutal murder will be brought to justice quickly and the maximum punishment will be ensured against them, Prof Yunus said, “No leniency will be shown in this regard”.
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