The Bangladeshi and student communities in Belgium are in deep mourning following the untimely death of Boni Islam Khan, a Bangladeshi student who was studying in Brussels.
According to the Bangladeshi Students and Alumni Association in Belgium (BSAAB), Boni felt sudden chest pain late on October 13 and his Bangladeshi friend immediately took him to the hospital; however, despite the medical efforts, he passed away that same night.
Following his unexpected passing, the Bangladeshi Students and the Bangladeshi community in Belgium have expressed their deep condolences to Boni's family.
With the initiative of the Bangladesh Students and Alumni Association and the overall support of the Bangladeshi community in Belgium, all arrangements were made to send Boni's body back to Bangladesh.
The association, through discussions with the family, coordinated with senior community members residing in Belgium to ensure that all necessary arrangements were taken care of
On October 18, after the Jummah prayers, Boni’s namaz-e-janaza was held at the Bangladesh Cultural Centre Jame Mosque in Brussels and the Janaja was attended by around 600 people, including members of the Bangladeshi community from various cities in Belgium.
Ekram Hossain, president of the Bangladeshi Students and Alumni Association in Belgium (BSAAB) expressed his gratitude to all the students studying in Belgium, especially Boni's friends, whose tireless efforts and the support of the entire Bangladeshi community, both directly and indirectly, have been invaluable.
He thanked everyone for standing by Boni and creating a unique example of cooperation.
He highlighted the community’s unity, saying: "The brotherhood displayed by the Bangladeshi community in standing by Boni is truly commendable. The students living in Belgium are an integral part of the community; every Bangladeshi living Belgium is part of this community and supports one another."
Ekram also added: "The collective effort of the Bangladeshi Students and Alumni Association in Belgium and the Bangladeshi community in Belgium will strengthen our bond in the future."
Following the funeral, Mohammad Rejaul Islam, representing the Bangladesh Embassy in Brussels, also delivered a speech.
It has been reported that Boni's body was laid to rest on October 20 in his hometown of Guatola, Shibchar in Madaripur district. Members of the Bangladesh Students and Alumni Association in Belgium participated in an online prayer session after the burial. Boni Islam Khan was a student of Linguistics and Literary Studies at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).