Tradition Broken: PM and Opposition Leader Offer Dua Standing on Shaheed Minar Platform

On the first hour of Martyrs' Day and International Mother Language Day, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman broke tradition by standing on the central platform of Shaheed Minar to offer prayers (monajat). The moment has sparked widespread discussion and praise on social media, especially Facebook. Many users described it as a "courageous step to break convention" and a "historic moment."

On Friday (20 February) at 12:01 am, after President Mohammad Sahabuddin paid his respects and left, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman arrived and placed a wreath alone on the main platform. He then stood facing west and offered monajat. Sources note that no previous head of government has been seen praying in this manner while standing on the Shaheed Minar platform.

Following the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, along with MPs from Jamaat-e-Islami and NCP, stood on the platform and joined in collective prayer. This is reportedly the first time a top leader from Jamaat has physically attended and paid respects at the Central Shaheed Minar. The unusual scene has gone beyond formal protocol, generating significant buzz on social media as a powerful message of unity above political divisions in honoring the language martyrs.