DHAKA, Feb 21, 2026 (BSS) – After paying homage to the Language Movement martyrs, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today offered prayers seeking forgiveness for the martyrs standing the Central Shaheed Minar premises in the city, setting a unique example in the country’s history. Traditionally, the head of the state and head of the government leave the Shaheed Minar just after placing wreaths. Dhaka University (DU) Central Mosque Senior Imam and Khatib Hafez Mowlana Nazir Mahmud conducted the prayer (doa) seeking forgiveness for the martyrs of the 1952 Language Movement, 1971 Liberation War, 1990 Anti-autocracy Movement and 2024 July Uprising. Special prayer was also offered seeking divine blessings for Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The prayer also sought welfare for the country and success for the present government under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Earlier, the premier paid homage to the Language Movement martyrs by placing a wreath at the Central Shaheed Minar in the city at 12:08 am. After the doa, BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman also paid homage to the martyrs on behalf of his cabinet, his party and the family members of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of the country’s independence, and former three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia by placing separate wreaths.