Also Read- In pictures: A farewell to Annisul Huq
Earlier on Saturday around 11:40am, a Biman Bangladesh flight carrying Annisul's body landed at Shahjalal International Airport.
Poeple from all walks of life have gathered at Banani's Army Stadium on Saturday, December 2, 2017; to pay their last respect to departed mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation, Annisul Huq Rajib Dhar/Dhaka TribuneHis younger brother, army chief General Shafiul Huq, received the body along with Awami League General Secretary and Roads, Bridges and Transport Minister Obaidul Quader, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, and Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor among many other dignitaries.
The late mayor was taken to his Banani house around 1:20pm where his family and those close to his family will pay their respects.
Annisul's father, 96-year old Shariful Huq, was taken to Annisul's house after the body arrived from London.
Hundreds of people join namaz-e-janaza of Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq at Banani's Army Stadium on Saturday, December 2, 2017 Rajib Dhar/Dhaka TribuneThe family did not inform him about the matter, as they were concerned about the shock he might have had at the devastating news.
AKM Mizanur Rahman, personal assistant to Annisul, told the Dhaka Tribune that Shariful was kept next to the body for few minutes but he showed any emotion.Also Read- BNP pays homage to Annisul Huq
"He (Shariful) is also sick. He did not say anything or shed tears. He only looked on," Mizanur Rahman said. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina arrived at 1:40pm to pay her respects to the departed mayor and left at 2pm. Around 2:20pm, US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat arrived at the mayor's house to pay her last respects.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina prays for departed Mayor Annisul Huq with his bereaved family on Saturday, December 2, 2017 Focus BanglaAround 2:40pm, BNP leader Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury arrived there to pay his last respects.
He said Annisul was an admirable person for his neutral stance as the mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation.Also Read- PM Hasina visits Annisul’s family
Security has been tightened in the area with the Special Security Force, Rapid Action Battalion, and police maintaining vigilance in the area. Around 3pm, his body was taken to the Army Stadium via an army ambulance. At 3:15pm, the departed mayor's body reached the Army Stadium. Thousands of people have thronged to pay their last respect for the mayor.
Hundreds of people join namaz-e-janaza of Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq at Banani's Army Stadium on Saturday, December 2, 2017 Rajib Dhar/Dhaka TribunePresident’s Military Secretary Maj Gen Md Sarwar Hossain placed wreaths on Annisul’s coffin on behalf of President Abdul Hamid while PM's Military Secretary Maj Gen Mia Mohammad Zainul Abedin performed this part on behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Awami League’s leader Obaidul Quader, flanked by other senior party leader arrived at the spot at around 3:30pm to pay their last respect to the deceased mayor while senior BNP leaders including Mirza Abbas and Ruhul Kabir Rizvi were also present.
Members from Dhaka and North city corporations, Bangladesh Garments Manufacturing Export Association (BGMEA), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and people from different social and cultural arena were present during the janaza.
The qulkhwani of Annisul Huq will be held on December 6 after Asr prayers.
"A special doa mahfil will be held at Gulshan Azad Masque after Asr prayers on that day for seeking eternal peace of my father's soul," Navidul Huq, son of late Annisul, told a gathering before his father's namaz-e-janaza.