President, PM mourn death of women leader Ayesha Khanam

President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday expressed their profound shock and sorrow at the death of valiant freedom fighter and president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Ayesha Khanam.

In a condolence message, the President said, “Ayesha Khanam was a brave fighter in the country’s women rights movement.”

Recalling her contribution to women empowerment with due respect, Abdul Hamid said Ayesha Khanam’s contribution in establishing women’s rights will be remembered for long.

The head of the state prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Ayesha Khanam died at a hospital in the city this morning at the age of 74.

Besides in a separate message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also expressed her deep shock and sorrow at the death of Ayesha Khanam and said the country’s women community has lost a genuine and brave compatriot at the death of the women leader.

She prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

Former vice-president of left-leaning organization Bangladesh Chhatra Union (BCU), Ayesha Khanam was an active organizer of all the movements including the 1962 student movement, the 1969 Mass Upsurge and the 1971 War of Liberation.