Students of Chittagong University held an absentee funeral prayer on Saturday for Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Manch, who died after being shot during an election campaign in Dhaka earlier this month. The prayer took place at the university’s Zero Point following the noon prayer, led by Professor Dr. A.K.M. Abdul Kader of the Arabic Department, under the banner of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (CHAKSU).

Faculty members and student leaders attended the service, expressing grief and admiration for Hadi’s activism. Associate Professor Mozammel Haque described Hadi as a symbol of moral courage, while CHAKSU Vice President Ibrahim Hossain Rony praised his political awareness and influence at a young age. Hadi, aged 32, succumbed to his injuries on December 18 at Singapore General Hospital after being critically wounded in a shooting on December 12.

His death has sparked widespread mourning across campuses and political circles, with calls to honor his legacy. Memorial prayers were also held at other universities, reflecting his impact on youth activism and national politics.

Bangladesh’s Religious Adviser Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain attended the funeral prayer of Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure in the July uprising and spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha, held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament on Saturday. Addressing mourners, he said that the entire nation is grieving Hadi’s death, describing him as a martyr who sacrificed his life for justice and equality.

Dr. Hossain prayed for Hadi’s forgiveness and eternal peace, urging the nation to fulfill his dream of building a fair, anti-hegemonic society. He also noted that, under the directive of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, prayers and recitations were held in mosques across the country in Hadi’s memory.

The large turnout at the funeral reflected Hadi’s influence as a political and social activist. Observers say his death could further galvanize movements advocating social justice and reform, while the government’s involvement in national mourning underscores his symbolic importance.

Inqilab Manch has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Bangladesh’s Home Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Khoda Box Chowdhury, demanding they present progress on the murder investigation of Shaheed Osman Hadi or resign. The warning came from the platform’s member secretary Abdullah Al Jaber during Hadi’s funeral prayer at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Saturday.

Jaber accused the government of inaction, claiming that despite a week passing since Hadi’s shooting in Bijoynagar, no arrests had been made and no official updates provided. He alleged that a criminal network, not a lone assailant, was behind the killing and called for public mobilization toward Shahbagh to demand justice. The slain activist’s family echoed calls for the perpetrators to be exposed and prosecuted.

The ultimatum adds pressure on the interim administration amid rising public anger and political tension. Authorities have yet to comment on the demand or provide new details about the investigation.

Saudi Arabia has announced an increase in the number of annual scholarships for Bangladeshi students, raising the quota to 500. The announcement was made by the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh on December 19, 2025. The scholarships will be available across 30 public and 14 private universities, covering undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and diploma programs in ten disciplines including economics, business administration, education, law, politics, media, religion, language, agriculture, computer science, and engineering.

Applicants can now apply to three universities of their choice from a list of 25 institutions through a centralized system, replacing the previous requirement to apply separately to each university. Selection will be based on merit and specific quotas for foreign students. Participating universities include King Saud University, Islamic University of Madinah, and King Abdulaziz University.

The move is expected to strengthen educational and cultural ties between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, offering greater access to world-class higher education for Bangladeshi youth and supporting Saudi Arabia’s broader international education outreach.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed gratitude to Pakistan for showing interest in joining a proposed international stability force for Gaza. Speaking at a press conference in Washington on Friday, Rubio said the US appreciates Pakistan’s willingness to contribute to peacekeeping efforts, though Islamabad has not yet made a final decision on troop deployment.

Rubio noted that several countries have expressed readiness to send forces, and if Pakistan confirms participation, it would become a key partner in the mission. He added that certain operational and political issues must be clarified before the force can be deployed. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi confirmed that no final decision has been made regarding participation in the International Stability Force (ISF).

The move follows earlier remarks by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in November, indicating readiness to send troops to Gaza. Analysts suggest Pakistan’s involvement could strengthen its diplomatic standing but may also draw scrutiny from regional actors. Further announcements on the ISF’s structure and leadership are expected soon.

Sharif Osman bin Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Manch and a key figure in the July revolutionary movement, was laid to rest beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at the Dhaka University Central Mosque complex on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The funeral followed a public prayer at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, attended by thousands of mourners, fellow activists, and political figures.

Hadi, aged 34, was fatally shot on December 12 while campaigning in the Bijoynagar area of Dhaka. He was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Singapore, where he succumbed to his injuries on December 18. His death has sparked widespread grief and condemnation, with colleagues describing him as a courageous voice for political reform. Among those present at the burial were journalist Mahmudur Rahman and Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Niaz Ahmad Khan.

The killing has intensified calls for accountability and raised concerns about political violence ahead of upcoming elections. Authorities have yet to announce any arrests or investigation outcomes.

James Cameron’s long-awaited science fiction sequel, *Avatar: Fire and Ash*, premiered worldwide yesterday, marking a synchronized release in Bangladesh’s Star Cineplex alongside major global markets. The film continues the saga of the Sully family, exploring grief, identity, and survival amid new threats on Pandora. Critics at a London preview praised its visual scale and reaffirmed the cinematic importance of large-screen storytelling.

Cameron revealed at a Paris press conference that the film delves into themes of displacement and the search for belonging, aiming to connect emotionally with audiences. Composer Simon Franglen spent seven years crafting the score, writing over 1,900 pages of notation and inventing new instruments for Pandora’s inhabitants. Early reviews highlight the film’s technological innovation and emotional depth.

The director noted that the commercial success of *Fire and Ash* will determine the future trajectory of the *Avatar* franchise, which has already grossed billions worldwide through its previous installments.

Dhaka University (DU) has laid to rest martyred student leader Sharif Osman Hadi beside the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam at the university’s central mosque premises. Following the burial, DU Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Niaz Ahmed Khan stated that the university had embraced its son, symbolizing a mother’s reunion with her child. The decision to bury Hadi on campus was unanimously approved in an emergency Syndicate meeting held late Friday night with the consent of his family.

The Vice-Chancellor emphasized that the burial site represents the university’s highest honor, as it also holds the graves of several DU members who sacrificed their lives during Bangladesh’s Liberation War. He expressed gratitude to Hadi’s family and those who assisted in the funeral, including journalist Dr. Mahmudur Rahman. The ceremony was attended by senior DU officials, political leaders, and student representatives.

Hadi, remembered as a courageous voice in the July uprising, now rests among the nation’s revered figures. His burial at DU symbolizes institutional recognition of his sacrifice and the enduring spirit of student activism in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Adviser on Shipping and Labour, Brigadier General (Retd.) Dr. M Sakhawat Hossain, inaugurated a new launch terminal at Dhalchar (Ananda Bazar) in Charfashion upazila of Bhola district. The terminal, established by the Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA), aims to provide safe and regular river transport to one of the country’s most remote island regions near the Meghna River estuary and the Bay of Bengal.

For decades, residents of Dhalchar faced severe travel hardships due to unsafe and irregular boat services, especially during adverse weather and tidal conditions. Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Hossain said the new facility would ease access to healthcare, education, and administrative services while boosting local economic activity. BIWTA Chairman Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mostafa and local officials attended the event.

The government has prioritized developing water transport infrastructure to integrate marginal and isolated island communities into the national development framework. Officials said the project reflects a broader goal of ensuring equitable growth across Bangladesh’s riverine regions.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas declared that the return of acting party chairman Tarique Rahman will mark the revival of democracy in Bangladesh. Speaking at a preparatory meeting in Dhaka’s Gopibagh area on Saturday, Abbas said the people are ready to welcome Tarique, linking his homecoming with the democratic legacy of Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.

Abbas accused anti-national forces of trying to destabilize the country through violence and conspiracies, citing recent arson attacks on media offices. He criticized the government for allegedly siding with such elements instead of cooperating with the BNP to ensure peace. Abbas reiterated that the BNP introduced multiparty democracy and remains committed to protecting it against authoritarian tendencies.

The remarks come amid heightened political tension ahead of Tarique Rahman’s anticipated return. Abbas warned that undemocratic forces cannot survive against popular will, urging the government to act against mob violence. His comments signal BNP’s attempt to rally supporters and frame Tarique’s return as a turning point for democratic restoration.

A group of students under the banner of the Conscious Students’ Society (BASSHIS) installed a signboard naming a section of Paltan Culvert Road as 'Shaheed Osman Hadi Road' on Saturday. The initiative took place at the exact location where activist and Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman Hadi was shot on December 12 while riding a rickshaw in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar area.

Hadi, who sustained a critical head injury from the gun attack, was first treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital before being transferred to a private hospital and later flown to Singapore for advanced care. He succumbed to his injuries there on Friday. Students displayed banners and festoons to honor his memory, calling him a revolutionary figure of July’s movement.

The symbolic renaming reflects growing student outrage and grief over Hadi’s killing. Authorities have yet to announce arrests or progress in the investigation, while civic groups continue to demand justice and official recognition of his contributions.

A group of people attempted to enter Bangladesh’s National Parliament complex in Dhaka on Saturday following the funeral prayer of Osman Hadi. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m., when attendees moved toward the main gates of the parliament building. On-duty army personnel immediately intervened, forming a security cordon and urging the crowd through loudspeakers to disperse peacefully.

Witnesses reported that the group stood in front of the army cordon for some time before eventually retreating. No violence or injuries were reported during the standoff. Security forces maintained their positions at the gates to prevent any breach of the restricted area.

Authorities have not yet commented on the motive behind the attempted entry. The incident underscores heightened public emotion surrounding Osman Hadi’s death and the government’s focus on maintaining order near key state institutions. Additional security measures are expected to remain in place around the parliament complex in the coming days.

Thousands gathered at Dhaka’s Manik Mia Avenue on Saturday, December 20, 2025, to attend the funeral prayer of Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the July Fighters and Inquilab Mancha. The event drew a massive turnout, including Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, members of the advisory council, political leaders, and citizens from across the country. Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) leaders Sadiq Kayem and S.M. Farhad were seen in tears during the ceremony.

Before the prayer, Dr. Yunus addressed the crowd, describing the overwhelming attendance as a reflection of Hadi’s enduring influence and the nation’s collective grief. He stated that millions across Bangladesh and abroad were united in mourning, emphasizing that Hadi’s legacy would remain in the hearts of all Bangladeshis.

The funeral, led by Hadi’s elder brother Maulana Abu Bakar, symbolized a moment of national unity and remembrance. Observers noted that the emotional farewell underscored Hadi’s role as a figure of resistance and inspiration for youth movements in Bangladesh.

Residents of Nalchhiti municipality in Jhalakathi district are mourning the death of revolutionary figure Sharif Osman Hadi, whose home and former educational institution, SS Kamil Madrasa, have become centers of grief. Locals expressed deep sorrow for not being able to see him one last time and have called for the highest punishment for those responsible for his killing.

Teachers, classmates, and residents recalled Hadi as a fearless voice of protest since childhood. He began his education at Neserabad NS Kamil Madrasa in 2000, completing his Dakhil and Alim degrees by 2009, and later graduated from the University of Dhaka. Known for his leadership during the 2024 mass uprising, Hadi was regarded as a symbol of courage and activism in his community.

The killing has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice across Jhalakathi and beyond. Memorial prayers have been held in several districts, with many describing Hadi as an enduring inspiration against oppression and authoritarianism.

Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus paid tribute to martyr Osman Hadi during his funeral at Manik Mia Avenue on Saturday, emphasizing that Hadi’s teachings and ideals would continue to inspire the nation. Addressing mourners before the funeral prayer, Yunus said Hadi’s compassion, humility, and political vision had earned admiration across society and should remain a guiding force for Bangladesh’s future.

The funeral, held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament, drew hundreds of thousands of people, including members of the advisory council, political leaders, and citizens from all walks of life. Imam Abu Bakar, Hadi’s elder brother, led the prayer. Hadi, known as a spokesperson for the July Fighters and the Inquilab Mancha, was remembered for his activism and commitment to social justice.

Observers noted that the massive turnout reflected Hadi’s influence on Bangladesh’s contemporary political movements. The interim government’s participation signaled an effort to unify diverse political groups around shared values of humanity and reform.