A prayer gathering was held at Jagannath University’s central mosque on Friday, January 2, to seek forgiveness for the soul of Begum Khaleda Zia, the university’s founder, three-time former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, and BNP Chairperson. The event was organized by the university mosque committee and preceded by a short discussion session attended by university officials, teachers, students, and staff.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim described Begum Khaleda Zia as a distinguished leader whose contributions were integral to the establishment of Jagannath University. He praised her honesty, unity, and determination, noting her leadership in continuing the political vision of late President Ziaur Rahman. Faculty leaders including Professors Md. Rois Uddin and Imranul Haque highlighted her transformation from a homemaker to a national leader, her steadfastness during political crises, and her lifelong dedication to the nation’s welfare.

The prayer was led by the mosque’s senior imam, with participation from university deans, department heads, teachers, students, and journalists, reflecting broad respect for the late leader’s legacy.

A senior Iranian security official has warned former U.S. President Donald Trump not to interfere in Iran’s ongoing protests. Speaking to local media on Friday, the official said any U.S. involvement in Iran’s internal affairs would destabilize the entire region and would be met with a strong response. The warning followed Trump’s post on his social media platform Truth Social, where he stated that the United States was ready to act if Iranian authorities violently suppressed peaceful demonstrators.

The protests, now in their fifth consecutive day, have spread to more than a dozen cities including Tehran, Isfahan, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Hamadan, and Fars. Local sources reported at least seven deaths in clashes between protesters and security forces. Demonstrators have been calling for the resignation of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and an end to the current political system.

The exchange of warnings between Washington and Tehran underscores rising tensions amid expanding unrest across Iran, with both sides signaling readiness for escalation if violence intensifies.

Dr. Hamidur Rahman Azad, the Jamaat-e-Islami nominated candidate for the Cox’s Bazar-2 (Maheshkhali–Kutubdia) parliamentary constituency, has had his nomination paper canceled due to complications related to ongoing legal cases. The decision followed a review process on Friday, during which his nomination was initially suspended and later rejected. Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Abdul Mannan confirmed that the cancellation was made in accordance with Election Commission regulations after case details surfaced during scrutiny.

According to the Returning Officer’s office, the decision was based on unresolved legal issues from cases filed during the Awami League’s tenure. Dr. Azad currently serves as Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General and has a long history in student and party politics, having joined Islami Chhatra Shibir in 1977 and Jamaat-e-Islami in 1995. He was previously elected as a Member of Parliament from the same constituency in the 2008 national election.

Dr. Azad stated that a document related to a “false case” was not submitted with his nomination papers, leading to the cancellation. He plans to appeal the decision by submitting the necessary documents, expressing hope of regaining his candidacy.

The nomination paper scrutiny for the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election in Shariatpur-2 (Naria-Sakhipur) constituency has been completed. Out of ten candidates, four were declared valid while six were disqualified due to inconsistencies in information and failure to comply with election rules. The decision was confirmed on Friday morning by District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Tahsina Begum at her office.

The disqualified candidates include Imran Hossain of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Akteruzzaman Samrat of Gono Odhikar Parishad, Parvez Mosharraf of Jonotar Dal, and three independent candidates—Farhana Kadir Rahman, Md. Alamgir Hossain, and Md. Nasir. The returning officer stated that they have until January 9 to appeal the decision.

Imran Hossain, the Islami Andolan candidate, told Amader Desh that his nomination was rejected because he failed to mention the opening date of his bank account in the submitted form. He said he intends to appeal the decision.

On Friday, prayer gatherings were held across Bangladesh seeking forgiveness for the soul of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. The events took place in mosques and community venues in districts including Chattogram, Dhaka, Bagerhat, Madaripur, Pirojpur, Bogura, Natore, and Lakshmipur. Devotees, party leaders, and local residents participated in Quran recitations, milad, and special prayers following Jumma prayers, praying for her eternal peace.

Local BNP units, affiliated organizations, and civic groups organized the programs as part of broader mourning activities. Reports from various districts described an atmosphere of grief, with participants recalling Khaleda Zia’s political life and leadership. In several places, journalists, social leaders, and members of different political parties joined the gatherings, offering prayers and distributing food among attendees.

The coordinated observances reflected a unified expression of respect and remembrance for the late leader, with prayers continuing in multiple mosques and BNP offices nationwide.

Manch-24 has demanded that the Jatiya Party be declared ineligible to contest the upcoming national election within 48 hours. The demand was made on Friday, January 2, 2026, during a press conference held at Dhaka University’s Madhur Canteen, where the group’s convener, Fahim Faruqi, also protested the party’s submission of nomination papers for 224 constituencies.

In a written statement, Faruqi alleged that the Awami League, along with the Jatiya Party and other allies in the 14-party coalition, had maintained an authoritarian regime over the past 16 years. He claimed that both parties share responsibility for human rights violations and that the interim government’s ban on Awami League activities should also apply to its main ally, the Jatiya Party. Faruqi further argued that no fascist or autocratic political force should be allowed to operate in post-July Bangladesh.

Manch-24 stated that two legal notices had already been sent to the government demanding action against parties accused of aiding alleged atrocities. The group warned that if the Election Commission fails to act within 72 hours, it will call for a protest to surround the commission.

Barrister Zaima Rahman, daughter of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman, visited the graves of her grandparents, late President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, on Friday morning at the Zia Udyan in Dhaka. She offered floral tributes and prayed for their souls during the visit.

Family members, including Begum Khaleda Zia’s sister Selina Islam and younger daughter-in-law Sharmila Rahman, were also present at the site. The relatives were seen in tears as they offered prayers and paid their respects together.

The visit marked a moment of remembrance for the family at the resting place of two prominent figures in Bangladesh’s political history, as reported by Amar Desh Online.

Hasnat Abdullah, the National Citizen Party candidate for Comilla-04 (Debidwar) constituency, has accused the local administration of losing neutrality and leaning toward the BNP. Speaking to journalists on Friday in front of the Comilla District Commissioner and Returning Officer’s office after the scrutiny of nomination papers for the 13th National Parliamentary Election, Abdullah alleged that the administration’s partial behavior has raised doubts about the fairness of the upcoming polls.

He claimed that despite submitting written evidence against a candidate for concealing information in the election affidavit, the administration still approved that candidate’s nomination. Abdullah criticized what he described as administrative inaction over recent violent incidents, including the killing of a person named Hadi, and said such failures have undermined public confidence. He further alleged that some political parties have obstructed administrative reforms by exerting their influence.

Abdullah, who is contesting under the ‘Shapla Koli’ symbol nominated by Jamaat-e-Islami, urged Debidwar voters to exercise their voting rights on January 12. The district returning officer declared his nomination valid while rejecting 16 others in Comilla constituencies.

The historic Nalchity launch terminal in Jhalakathi has been renamed after martyr Sharif Osman Hadi by Brigadier General (Retd.) M Sakhawat Hossain, adviser to the Ministry of Shipping and the Ministry of Labour and Employment. The renaming plaque was unveiled on Friday afternoon at a ceremony in Nalchity, where the adviser paid tribute to Hadi’s memory and described him as a fearless fighter and symbol of patriotic youth.

During the event, the adviser said the government is prioritizing the development of water transport infrastructure to connect remote and island communities with the national development mainstream. He emphasized that naming the terminal after Hadi would inspire future generations with patriotism, courage, and responsibility. The Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA) has already completed renovation and modernization work on the newly named terminal.

Local residents expressed gratitude for the decision. Earlier, the adviser had handed over a water ambulance named after Hadi to Monpura Upazila in Bhola and inaugurated a new launch terminal in Durgapasha, Bakerganj, aimed at improving local transport and trade connectivity.

Jamaat-e-Islami’s central Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr. Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher stated that the aspirations of the people will be fulfilled in the upcoming national election. He made the remark on Friday afternoon during a meeting with local Jamaat leaders at the Chauddagram municipality in Cumilla. Taher said that since Bangladesh’s independence, citizens have desired to see Islamic parties in power, but that aspiration has not yet been realized.

He referred to last year’s student and public uprising and alleged that anti-hegemony activist Osman Hadi was killed by terrorists afterward. Taher added that people now want to vote Islamic parties into power to ensure justice for Hadi’s killers and to build a corruption- and extortion-free Bangladesh. He called on party members to play an active role in achieving this goal.

The meeting was presided over by Mahfuzur Rahman, the municipal election director and Upazila Jamaat Ameer, and attended by several local leaders including VP Shahab Uddin, Maulana Ibrahim, Belal Hossain, Kazi Yasin, Zainal Abedin Patwari, Mosharraf Hossain Opel, and Supreme Court advocate Al Mamun Russell.

Inqilab Mancha has announced it will continue street protests until justice is served for the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi. The group warned that if justice is not ensured by January 7, it will launch a movement to topple the government. On Friday, January 2, after the Juma prayers, activists marched from Dhaka University’s central mosque to Shahbagh, where they staged a large demonstration that partially blocked traffic on one side of the road.

Speakers at the rally, including member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber, accused the government of failing to identify and arrest the real killers even after 21 days. They rejected what they described as misleading government statements and demanded that all those involved be brought under the law. Jaber said the group would remain on the streets until the murder trial is completed and called on political parties to avoid secret meetings with foreign representatives.

Sharif Osman Hadi, an independent candidate for Dhaka-8, was shot on December 12 in Purana Paltan and died on December 18 in Singapore while under treatment.

BNP-nominated candidate Dr. Redwan Ahmed has declared total assets worth Tk 55.19 crore, while his wife owns Tk 27.50 crore, according to an affidavit submitted to the Comilla District Returning Officer on December 29. The former LDP secretary general, now contesting from Comilla-7 (Chandina) constituency, reported owning 11.73 acres of agricultural land valued at Tk 1 crore, a house and apartment worth Tk 68 lakh, and 29 bhori of gold. His wife holds 3.10 acres of land, including 0.96 acres of non-agricultural property, and a 5,600-square-foot house valued at Tk 11.5 lakh.

The affidavit also lists Tk 4.62 crore in cash for Redwan and Tk 45.5 lakh for his wife, along with a licensed firearm worth Tk 3 lakh and a car valued at Tk 39 lakh. His income source is business, with capital income of Tk 4.78 crore and an income tax return of about Tk 24 lakh for fiscal year 2025–26. The document notes three past cases against him, including one by the Anti-Corruption Commission, with one case still ongoing.

Redwan will contest the upcoming 13th parliamentary election from Comilla-7 as a BNP candidate, where a three-way race is expected with independent and Jamaat contenders.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh has postponed its planned national rally that was scheduled for January 9 in Dhaka. The rally had been announced to demand the arrest of those responsible for the killing of Inqilab Mancha convener Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, along with calls for improved law and order and a level playing field. The decision to postpone was made at a regular meeting of the party’s central committee on Friday, chaired by party chief and Charmonai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim.

The party stated that the rally was deferred out of respect for the primary school recruitment examination and the prevailing election environment. The earlier decision to hold the rally had been taken on December 25. Senior leaders including Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, Maulana Syed Mosaddeq Billah Al Madani, and Secretary General Principal Maulana Yunus Ahmad attended the meeting.

The party did not announce a new date for the rally, leaving its future schedule uncertain.

The nomination papers of two candidates, including the Khelafat Majlis nominee, were canceled in Barishal during the scrutiny process for the 13th parliamentary election. The verification took place on Friday across three constituencies—Barishal-4 (Hijla and Mehendiganj), Barishal-5 (Sadar), and Barishal-6 (Bakerganj). According to Barishal District Returning Officer and Deputy Commissioner Khairul Alam, the cancellations were due to missing voter signatures and submission errors.

In Barishal-5, independent candidate Touhidul Islam’s nomination was rejected for lacking signatures from one percent of general voters, while Khelafat Majlis candidate A.K.M. Mahbub Alam’s paper was invalidated for submission errors. The nomination of Bangladesh Socialist Party (BASAD) candidate Dr. Monisha Chakraborty was kept pending due to a missing signature on her affidavit. In Barishal-6, Jamaat-e-Islami candidate Mohammad Mahmudunnabi’s nomination was also held pending for missing documents.

The returning officer stated that final decisions on the pending nominations will be announced on January 4, the last day of the scrutiny process.

A doa and milad mahfil was held at Gulshan Azad Mosque in Dhaka on Friday after Asr prayers for the salvation of the soul of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The event was attended by BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman as the chief guest. Participants prayed for Khaleda Zia’s departed soul and remembered her contributions with respect.

Senior BNP leaders, party activists, and worshippers joined the gathering, which was led by the mosque’s imam. Special prayers were also offered for the welfare of the country, the nation, and democracy. The event reflected the party’s collective remembrance and spiritual observance following the passing of its long-time leader.

The doa mahfil underscored the continued reverence within the BNP for Khaleda Zia’s political and personal legacy, as party members united in prayer for both her memory and the nation’s well-being.