S A Shofiee, Sylhet:
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman’s wife and renowned physician Dr. Zubaidah Rahman has returned to the country after almost 17 years. She arrived in Bangladesh on Tuesday (May 6) with her mother-in-law, former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Sylhet BNP has seen a surge of vitality centered on Dr. Zubaidah’s return. There is hope among the leaders and activists that if this talented woman joins active politics, the party will get new inspiration. BNP and its affiliates have already held a welcome procession in the city to welcome her.
Born in Sylhet, Dr. Zubaidah Rahman is the daughter of former Chief of the Navy Rear Admiral Mahbub Ali. Her uncle is General MAG Osmani, Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation War of Bangladesh. She is the cousin of Irene Khan, former Secretary General of the international human rights organization Amnesty International.
Although she has never been directly involved in politics, according to party leaders and activists, Zubaida Rahman can play an important role in the future leadership of the BNP.
Despite having hostile relations with the Zia family, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled the country, made positive comments about Zubaida in a cabinet meeting. Sheikh Hasina said, “She is an educated and well-bred girl. If she enters politics, it will be for the welfare of the country.”
Dr. Zubaida’s return to the country and her future political steps have now created new speculations in politics.
BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia’s advisor and former mayor of Sylhet City Corporation Ariful Haque Chowdhury expressed excitement over the news of Dr. Zubaida Rahman’s return to the country.
The former Sylhet mayor said, “The daughter-in-law of Shaheed Zia, the declarer of independence and the wife of the acting chairman of the party, a talented child of Sylhet, a gold medal-winning physician at home and abroad. Zubaida Rahman’s return to the country is undoubtedly a source of pride for us. I am happy with this news not only as a party worker but also as a Sylheti.’
Regarding her direct participation in politics, Ariful Haque said, ‘Her family will decide on this matter. However, for the needs of the party and the country, I believe that this talented and versatile child of Sylhet will definitely come forward.’
Sylhet District BNP President Qayyum Chowdhury said about Zubaida Rahman’s return to Bangladesh, ‘We welcome her. She is the daughter of a noble family of Sylhet. The wife of the acting chairperson of my party. She is a talented doctor. The fascist Awami League government has unfairly dismissed her from her job while keeping her abroad, and has sentenced her with false cases. We are happy that she returned to her country after 17 long years.’
Zubaida Rahman obtained her MBBS degree from Dhaka Medical College and then her MSS degree in medicine from Imperial College, London. She joined the government service in 1995 after securing first place in the BCS health cadre.
She married Tarique Rahman in 1994. On September 11, 2008, Dr. Zubaida Rahman left Bangladesh for the UK with her husband Tarique Rahman for better treatment. Since then, she has been living in the UK with her husband.
