In response to an invitation of the Saudi government, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia left the country for Saudi Arabia on Saturday evening to perform Umrah.
The Emirates Airlines flight carrying the leader of the opposition and her entourage took off from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:15pm, said Maruf Kamal Khan, press secretary to Khaleda.
She is scheduled to stay in Madinah from July 28 to July 31 to offer prayers at the Masjid-e-Nababi. She will then stay in Makkah from July 31 to August 5 to perform Umrah and offer prayers at the Masjid-al-Haram, said Maruf.
Senior leaders of the party as well as several hundred party leaders and activists saw her off at the airport.
Khaleda was accompanied by her younger brother Shamim Iskander, his wife Kaniz Fatema, party leader Shomser Mobin Chowdhury, and other personal staff.
She is scheduled to return on August 7.
