Staff Reporter :
The Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) organised an Iftar and prayer gathering on Friday on the DRU premises. The event was attended by DRU members and political leaders.
During his pre-Iftar speech, BNP Standing Committee Member Mirza Abbas stated that journalists often refrain from reporting on the connections between certain businessmen and political parties. He emphasised the significant responsibility of journalists, noting that their writings can greatly benefit or harm the nation.
At the event, he also demanded justice for Asiya’s rapists.
Mirza Abbas further remarked that he was the only one accused of the crime of allotting plots to journalists, while no journalists faced charges. He expressed his deep regret over this and thanked DRU for inviting him to the Iftar gathering.
Calling for a strong stance against rapists, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman said that the entire nation was deeply hurt by Asiya’s death. He stressed the need for unity in ensuring justice for such crimes and highlighted the significant role of the media in this matter.
He also emphasised the importance of self-criticism among politicians and urged the media to stand firm. “We are not above mistakes; we also make errors. I hope the media will highlight both our shortcomings and our positive contributions,” he added, wishing success for the DRU Iftar gathering.
DRU President Abu Saleh Akon expressed gratitude to the political leaders and DRU members for their participation in the event. The program was moderated by DRU General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel.
Other speakers included BNP Joint Secretary General Moazzem Hossain Alal, former DRU presidents Shahjahan Sardar and Sakhawat Hossain Badsha, former General Secretary Elias Khan, DUJ President Shahidul Islam, and DRU Vice President and Iftar Committee Convener Gazi Anwar.
Among the attendees were former DRU Presidents Elias Hossain, Saiful Islam, Syed Shukur Ali Shubho, former General Secretary Monir Hossain Liton, Kabir Ahmed Khan, DRU Welfare Secretary and Iftar Committee Member Secretary Rafique Mridha.
Additionally, Jamaat’s Assistant Secretary General Abdul Halim, National Democratic Party (NDP) Chairman KM Abu Taher, DUJ General Secretary Khurshid Alam, DRU Joint Secretary Nadia Sharmin, Finance Secretary Sakhawat Hossain Suman, Organizational Secretary Abdul Hai Tuhin, Office Secretary Rafiq Rafi, Women Affairs Secretary Rozina Rozy, Publicity and Publications Secretary Mizan Chowdhury, Information Technology and Training Secretary Md. Borhan Uddin, Sports Secretary Md. Mojibur Rahman, Hospitality Secretary Mohammad Salim Ullah (Mejbah), and Executive Members Md. Junaid Hossain (Junaid Shishir), Akhtaruzzaman, Aminul Haque Bhuiyan, Md. Faruq Alam, Suman Chowdhury, and Md. Salim Ullah (S.U. Selim) were present, along with other DRU members.
