ZCZC
BSS-39
COVID19-HASAN-AL
AL men being infected while working for people: Hasan
DHAKA, June 19, 2020 (BSS) – Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today said Awami League leaders and workers, cabinet members, members of parliament and public representatives have been infected with coronavirus while working for the country’s people.
He came with the remark while talking to reporters after a doa mahfil at AL president’s Dhanmondi political office here.
Awami League arranged the doa mahfil seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of the AL leaders who died recently and early recovery of the party men and others infected with coronavirus.
Hasan, also the AL joint general secretary, said since the onset of coronavirus outbreak, AL leaders and activists, cabinet members, parliamentarians and public representatives have been carrying out relief distribution programmes to protect and help people, following the directives of AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
That is why, he said, many AL men, including the central leaders, have been infected with coronavirus.
In particular, eminent AL leader Mohammed Nasim, former state minister for religion Sheikh Abdullah, former mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran died of COVID-19, Hasan said.
“The main reason for their demises was that they were working for the people and in doing so, they were infected with coronavirus,” he added.
Responding to a question, the information minister said: “We never want that anyone is infected. We wish all the BNP leaders remain safe, and we all remain free from the virus infection.”
At the same time, he said, it is true that those who are working for the country’s people are being infected with the deadly virus and they are at high risk of infection.
On the other hand, Hasan said, the BNP leaders, staying inside their homes, are restricting their activities only by holding indoor press briefings and photo sessions.
The BNP leaders did not stand by people so they are less vulnerable to COVID-19, he said, adding “However, I always pray that all BNP leaders stay safe.”
The AL joint general secretary said Bangladesh is still one of the countries with the lowest mortality rate from COVID-19 in the world as the government has taken various steps involving doctors, health workers and administration to contain the spread of coronavirus.
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader joined the doa mahfil through videoconferencing from his official residence here.
AL presidium members Matia Chowdhury and Jahangir Kabir Nanak, joint general secretaries Dr Hasan Mahmud and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretaries Mirza Azam, BM Mozammel Haque and SM Kamal Hossain, women affairs secretary Meher Afroz Chumki and deputy office secretary Sayeem Khan, among others, took part in the doa mahfil.
Later, a munajat was offered wishing long life and well-being of AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and senior AL leaders, and seeking relief from coronavirus.
BSS/PR/MRI/KU/2042hrs