By Tina Khanam

DHAKA, Dec 24, 2025 (BSS) - In the year of 2003, this was a sweltering Friday afternoon. A young man suddenly stopped in his car on Road No. 13 in Banani, the Dhaka city. He was not accompanied by any bodyguards or armed security forces but he was not a commoner at all. He was quite shocked after noticing an old woman vomiting blood on the road side. He immediately called a younger brother and asked him to arrange treatment for the old woman. The old woman was given treatment at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, and food and medicines were also given to her. He set up a grocery shop to rehabilitate the old woman hailing from Dinajpur was begging there. As long as she was alive, the young man always kept in touch with her. He stood by not only the old woman, but hundreds of such old and helpless people.

Abdullah bin Zahid was killed in a shootout by law enforcing agencies during the student-people movement in the 2024 mass uprising. A few days later, his only younger brother, Jisan (14), was diagnosed with colon cancer. A few days later, their father also passed away. Uncertainty descended on the life of Fatima Tuz Zohra, who was almost crazy after losing her son. On one hand, she was seething with grief over the loss of her husband and elder son, and on the other hand, she was distraught over the treatment of her younger son. BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman stood by her during her hard time. He took the responsibility for Jisan's treatment.

Jisan's mother, Fatima Tuz Zohra expressed her gratitude to Tarique Rahman for helping her son get back to his life with financial assistance. 

She told BSS that it is Allah's mercy and she will never be able to repay the support they received from the 'Amra BNP Paribar'. The organisation has borne the entire cost of Jisan's treatment. Tarique Rahman himself has vowed to remain beside their family as a brother. "May Allah bless him. I will remember his humanity for the rest of my life," she said.

BNP insiders said Tarique Rahman has been showing love for the people and living beings for a long time - years after years - in silence. He is extending a helping hand to the poor, helpless, victims of enforced disappearances and killings and their families. He is taking responsibility for the treatment of some people and for the education of others. He is building houses for the homeless.

Through organisations like 'Amra BNP Paribar' and 'Ziaur Rahman Foundation', the BNP acting chairman is serving humanity all over the country.

Everyone may remember Jhenaidah's Jubo Dal leader Mirazul Islam alias Mirza (26). On March 25, 2015, the police recovered Mirazul's bullet-riddled body from a field of Kharagoda village in Chuadanga Sadar upazila.

Mirazul was the son of Jonab Ali of Kanchannagar Mohalla in Jhenaidah town and the vice-president of the municipality Jubo Dal. The family claims that Mirazul was picked up by some plainclothes police. The police predicted that Mirazul was shot dead from point-blank range.

The deceased Mirazul's brother, Yad Ali, alleged that his brother was abducted and killed in a planned manner because he was involved in anti-government politics.

Mirazul's mother, Bulbuli Khatun, alleged that several cases were filed against Mirazul because he was involved in BNP politics. He was killed for joining the party. After Mirazul was killed, his mother started working in other people's houses as a domestic help. Tarique Rahman took over the responsibility of his helpless parents, who were living in extreme hardship.

Tarique Rahman has stood by countless helpless people not only belonging to his party but also those who belonged to other parties.

Dipali Rani Shil, a very poor woman, lives in a hut with her two speech-impaired daughters in Bhaga, Rampal Upazila of Bagerhat district. During the rain, the rainwater poured in through the roof of the hut. In such a situation, Tarique Rahman built a new tin-shed house for the poor Hindu family, spending over Taka one lakh.

Dipali Rani Shil was happy to get the house, saying that she did not have the money to repair her home. In such a situation, she can live peacefully because her family was given this new tin-shed house. She expressed her gratitude to Tarique Rahman and prayed to God for the speedy recovery of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, who is now undergoing treatment at a city hospital.

Rituparna Chakma is a star player of the national women's football team. Rituparna's father, Baraj Banshi Chakma, died of cancer in 2015. Rituparna developed as a player under the inspiration of her father. While this woman footballer was bringing one success after another for the country, her mother Bhujopati Chakma was suffering from breast cancer in a life-and-death battle. The family did not have the financial capacity to bear her treatment cost.

Tarique Rahman stood by Bhujopati Chakma, the cancer-stricken mother of footballer Rituparna Chakma, known as the 'Golden Girl'. Under Tarique Rahman's directives, the 'Amra BNP Paribar' delegation went to Rituparna's house in the remote hill village of Mogachhari in Kawkhali, Rangamati. Necessary medical assistance was provided to her mother.

In the afternoon on July 20 in 2024, during the anti-discrimination student movement, Roni Pramanik, a rickshaw puller from Panchdash village in Shibganj, Bogura, was shot dead in Savar, Dhaka. At that time, he went out to buy medicine for his sick son and died of gunshot wounds.

There was no ability to bring the body to his house in Shibganj, Bogura. Later, with the help of locals, an ambulance was hired and the body of Roni was brought to the village home along with his wife and two children. The burial was held on July 21. Roni's mother was passing her days in pain after losing her only bread-winner son. Tarique Rahman extended his helping hand to easing her suffering. He gifted a new house to Shahena Beowa, the mother of July martyr Roni.

With tears in her eyes and a voice of gratefulness, Roni's mother said, "I lost my son but today it seems like I have found a family again." 

At that time, she prayed for Desh Netri Begum Khaleda Zia and Tarique Rahman.

According to the party sources, Tarique Rahman personally looks for the helpless, oppressed, needy, and talented people all over the country and then he secretly helps them.

Mostaqin Ali (65), a resident of Uttar Durakuti Paglatari village in Bahagili Union of Kishoreganj, Nilphamari, had to spend all his income on family expenses, taking care of his disabled children, and getting his daughters married. So, he could never afford to buy a cow. Despite his broken health caused due to his old age complications, he has to pull the oil drum. He has been pulling the oil drum himself for three decades.

Mostaqin Ali's day begins with collecting mustard seeds. He collects mustard seeds by visiting nearby villages and returns home around noon and starts pulling the drum. This struggle is carried out with the strength of the body. He moves wooden logs and heavy stones. His wife Chakina Begum helps him.

He breaks five kilograms of mustard seeds a day to get 1 liter 250 grams of oil and about 3 kilograms of khoil (oilcake) as by-product. In the afternoon, he goes to the market and sells the oil. Except expenses, he earns Taka 200 to 250. The family runs on this money.

When this news was published in media, it got the attention of Tarique Rahman. He instructed the Amra BNP Paribar to stand by the elderly Mostaqin Ali couple. They were given financial assistance to buy a cow.

In Barguna, a father filed a case for raping his school-going girl. A week later, the body of the plaintiff was found behind his house. This incident was much talked across the country. Later, the wife of the deceased fell in trouble with her three children. They were uncertain about their future and felt insecure because the only earner of the family was killed. Tarique Rahman stood by this helpless family and he spoke to the woman over phone. 

He said, "Don't worry. We will provide you with all kinds of legal and other assistance. I told our senior leaders and activists and they will meet you. Tell them whatever you need. BNP will stand by you at its best."

Some BNP leaders and activists said when BNP leaders and activists lost their lives in the crossfire during the autocratic government, Tarique Rahman stood by their families. He stood by the families of the victims of enforced disappearances and killings during the Awami League government. He took full responsibility for the education of their sons and daughters.

However, his inclination towards these humanitarian activities is long-standing. Since 2000, Amra BNP Paribar convener Atiqur Rahman Rumon was with Tarique Rahman in his humanitarian works.

Atiqur Rahman told BSS that the national hero, Tarique Rahman, has been doing philanthropic works for many years, since his youth age. "But he never let anyone know about those. He has been doing those in secret," he said.

He said it was an event of 2000 when a Jubo Dal worker died of electrocution in Bogura. He worked in an electricity office. After hearing about the incident, Tarique Rahman rushed to the worker's house to stand by his family. There, he showed sympathy to the deceased's family and provided financial assistance.

Atiqur said Tarique Rahman was arrested after the 1/11 political changeover in 2007. At that time, the people erupted in protest after a report that Tarique Rahman fell down in the washroom. During the protest, a CNG-driver in old Dhaka died in a cylinder explosion. Tarique Rahman got very shocked to hear this news. Even from his imprisonment, he immediately gave instructions to stand by the driver's family. He even donated all his used and valuable clothes to the cold-hit prisoners inside the jail. Later, after coming out of prison, he also sent warm clothes to jail. He is a friend of people in trouble. Many helpless families have found a new life under his supervision.

According to Atiqur, there is a madrasa for orphans at Lathiganj in Gabtoli upazila of Bogura. Almost all the students studying in this madrasa have no or partial eyesight. The headteacher of this madrasa is also blind. Tarique Rahman knew about this madrasa in 2011 and took the charge of running the madrasa. Since then, he has been running the madrasa.

In 2017, an eye camp was organised there. At that time, tests showed that some students would recover if they received proper treatment. Tarique Rahman later instructed them to start treatment. Following the treatment, seven of their students can now see with their eyes.

Senior journalist Atiqur Rahman Rumon told BSS that Tarique Rahman has been doing various humanitarian works on his personal initiative for many years. "We established the 'Amra BNP Paribar' organisation on March 22, 2024, out of the urge to do humanitarian work for the people of the country," he said. 

Its main patron is Tarique Rahman while its chief adviser is BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, and the members of the advisory committee are Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, M Rashiduzzaman Millat, Engineer Ashraf Uddin Bakul, Alamgir Kabir, Abul Kashem and Engineer Mostafa-e-Zaman Selim. 

Its convener is Atiqur Rahman Rumon and the member secretary is agriculturist Md Mokchedul Momin Mithun. "Under the directives of Tarique Rahman, the members of the Amra BNP Paribar have been unofficially and secretly supporting the oppressed and helpless people of the party since 2010," Atiqur said.

About the activities of the humanitarian organisation Amra BNP Paribar, its convener Atiqur said since the formation of the organisation, about 560 people have been financially supported in 40 districts, including martyrs and injured in the 2024 student-people uprising. In addition, Eid gifts were distributed to families of enforced disappeared people, killings and those who were persecuted during the previous Awami fascist government. In the month of Ramadan 2025, Eid gifts were distributed among 1,745 families of the enforced disappeared, and those who were murdered, crippled, persecuted, and martyred and injured in the 2024 mass uprising. Besides, monthly allowances and monthly educational scholarships were provided to 200 families.

He said although the name of the organisation is 'Amra BNP Paribar', the organisation is standing by the people regardless of their party affiliation. 

For example, he said, Amra BNP Paribar stood by a cancer-stricken mother and her crippled son in a hospital in Panthapath in the capital, and provided medical assistance to a rickshaw puller in Netrokona, whose child had heart problems. It also stood by the innovative students and the victims and injured in the plane crash at Milestone School in Uttara, Dhaka. It is building houses for helpless families in Feni, Nilphamari and Satkhira.

Julhas Molla of Shibaloy upazila of Manikganj became the talk of the town after flying a plane, made by him, in the sky. People gathered to see Julhas's plane. Tarique Rahman stood by him to encourage him.

By going to Jafarganj Bazar area of ??the upazila, Amra BNP Paribar handed over financial assistance to Julhas Molla on behalf of Tarique Rahman. Julhas is the son of Jalil Molla from Shaitghar Teota area of ????the upazila.

In this regard, Atiqur Rahman said ,"BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman instructed me to quickly inquire about Julhas's plane after hearing about it. As part of this, a delegation inquired about Julhas."

The leader did not stop showing compassion for people only; he has a strong empathy for animals too. He pulled his daughter Jaima Rahman's cat into his lap. The scene of his immense affection for the cat 'Zebu' has gone viral many times on social media.

In an interview about his photo with the pet cat on social media, Tarique Rahman said, "The cat is my daughter's cat. Now, of course, it has become everyone's. We all love it."

In addition, under the direct guidance of Tarique Rahman, Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) is working to provide safe shelter for cats, dogs, snakes and other stray animals and wild animals. Tarique Rahman is also the main patron of this organisation established for the safety of animals. The organisation is taking various initiatives to protect and conserve animals. Members of the organisation are going to different parts of the country to feed hungry animals. They are providing ambulance facilities for quick treatment of sick animals, and plans to build an animal hospital are also in the pipeline.

Besides, the organisation is taking legal action against the killing of cats, dogs and other animals. Recently, the organisation stood by animal lover Ruhul Bhai, who spent Taka 32,800 in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. All this is becoming possible because of Tarique Rahman's humanity.

Regarding Tarique Rahman's generosity towards animals, Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association President Adnan Azad said BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman is not only the leader of the country, he is also a very generous person. 

He said Tarique Rahman had deep love for animals since childhood. "Under his instructions, Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association is doing various works to protect cats, dogs and other animals."

Azad said these works include vaccinating stray dogs in Dhaka against rabies, treating injured dogs, feeding cooked and balanced food to hungry dogs, treating more than a hundred horses through a separate medical camp in Cox's Bazar, and conducting awareness campaigns to protect animals across the country.

He said the organisation's notable achievement in the past four months is that it has rescued 355 snakes from Dhaka district alone. "Out of those, 351 were poisonous. Not only the lives of snakes have been saved, but many people have been saved from the bites of poisonous snakes."

Azad said: "In addition, Tarique Rahman gave us information about persons working with animals and instructed us to help them. We contacted them and provided all kinds of financial assistance to the persons."

Noting that Tarique Rahman studies a lot about animals, he said the head of a party loves animals, which is a great thing for wild animals, pets and stray animals.

BNP's Mass Education Affairs Secretary and Director (Administration) of Ziaur Rahman Foundation, Professor Dr. Morshed Hasan Khan, said BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman has reached above differences of opinions and parties and stood by the people.

With the financial assistance of Tarique Rahman, he said, a poor and talented student from Gopalganj completed his education and joined the Bangladesh Army. 

"He (army officer) believes in the ideals of Sheikh Mujib and is now in the rank of Major. When he became a lieutenant, he came to know that Tarique Rahman had given him financial assistance for his education.

"There are countless examples of Tarique Rahman standing by the people," Dr. Morshed said.

He said throughout the Awami League government's reign, the education expenses of the children of the victims of enforced disappearances, killings and injured were given assistance through the Ziaur Rahman Foundation. 

At the same time, Tarique Rahman is arranging artificial limbs for the injured, including the July Revolution victims.

About Tarique Rahman's generosity, the Director General of the University Teachers' Association (UTAB) said when the leader's wife Dr Zubaida Rahman was studying cardiology abroad, Tarique Rahman used to do all the housework.

"Despite being the son of a former prime minister and a former president of the country, he handled all the household-works, including cleaning the house and washing the dishes with his own hands. This leader lives a very simple life."

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said Tarique Rahman is now working as an ambassador of humanity. 

"Tarique Rahman is coming forward to help the helpless, the people in need, the martyrs and the injured in the July Revolution, standing by them and providing assistance. Standing by the helpless family has now become his daily work or responsibility," he said. 

Rizvi said Tarique Rahman has given a place 'the love for life' above politics, economy or diplomacy.

"After passing 18 years in exile, he is returning home on December 25. Party leaders and workers and commoners are waiting to congratulate him," he added.