The first funeral prayer (janaza) for Bangladeshi student Nahida Sultana Brishti, who was killed in the United States, has been completed in the state of Florida.
The ceremony was held at approximately 2:00 pm local time on Wednesday in Tampa. Students, academic staff from the University of South Florida, and members of the Bangladeshi community attended the funeral prayer. A representative from the Bangladesh Consulate in Miami was also present.
According to a Facebook post by Golam Mortoza, Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, the funeral arrangements and subsequent procedures were coordinated with the participation of relevant diplomatic missions.
Following the janaza, Brishti’s body was formally handed over to the Tampa funeral authorities. It has been scheduled that the remains will be transported on Thursday from Orlando International Airport to Bangladesh via an Emirates flight. Emirates The flight will include a transit and aircraft change in Dubai, with the body expected to arrive in Dhaka at 8:40 am on 9 May.
A representative from the Bangladesh Consulate in Miami is expected to be present at Orlando International Airport during the departure process. The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, in coordination with the Miami Consulate and in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is overseeing the overall repatriation process.
Earlier related repatriation
Previously, on 4 May, the body of another Bangladeshi PhD student, Jamal Ahmed Limon, arrived in Dhaka. According to the same diplomatic communication, the Government of Bangladesh has borne the full cost of repatriating both Limon and Brishti. After Limon’s body arrived in Dhaka on 4 May, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shamima Wahed, acting under instructions attributed to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the statement, received the remains at the airport and formally handed them over to the family.
Timeline of events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 16 April | Jamal Ahmed Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti reported missing in the United States |
| 24 April | Police recovered the mutilated body of Limon |
| 26 April (approx.) | Partial remains of Brishti were recovered |
| 4 May | Limon’s body repatriated to Bangladesh |
| 7 May | First janaza of Brishti held in Tampa |
| 8 May (scheduled) | Brishti’s body to depart Orlando for Bangladesh |
| 9 May (08:40 am) | Expected arrival of Brishti’s body in Dhaka |
Investigation status
In connection with the case, Hisham Abugharbeh, a United States citizen identified as Limon’s roommate, has been arrested on suspicion of involvement. Legal proceedings against him have already commenced.
The Bangladesh diplomatic missions in Washington and Miami continue to coordinate closely with US authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the investigation and repatriation procedures.