The National Citizens’ Party (NCP) has clarified the identity of a woman who spoke alongside party convener Nahid Islam at a recent election rally. Contrary to some media reports claiming she was the “sister” of the late Sharif Osman Hadi, the NCP’s Deputy Chief Organiser, Dr Mahmuda Mitu, has confirmed that the speaker, Shabnam Khadija, is in fact Hadi’s paternal cousin.
Dr Mitu posted the clarification on her verified Facebook page on Sunday, 8 February, stating: “Shabnam Khadija, who addressed the crowd alongside Nahid Islam today, is the late Hadi’s paternal cousin. Reports suggesting she was his sister are entirely incorrect and misleading.”
According to Dr Mitu, Shabnam Khadija is the daughter of Maulana Abdur Rashid and Hasina Begum. Her maternal grandfather is Shafiz Uddin Munshi, while the late Sharif Abdul Hadi—father of the martyr Sharif Osman Hadi—was her maternal uncle. Shabnam hails from the village of Madhya Kambetpur in Nalchiti Upazila, Jhalokathi.
“Because her residence is close to the rally venue,” Dr Mitu added, “she spontaneously expressed her wish to speak on Hadi’s justice. She was then permitted to address the crowd.”
Information obtained directly from the rally organisers indicates that Shabnam Khadija is actively involved in local community initiatives. Her participation was not politically motivated but simply part of her engagement in local affairs.
A brief overview of Shabnam Khadija and her family is presented below:
| Name | Relation | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Shabnam Khadija | Paternal cousin (late Sharif Osman Hadi) | Resident of Madhya Kambetpur, Nalchiti, Jhalokathi |
| Maulana Abdur Rashid | Father | Active in local religious and social work |
| Hasina Begum | Mother | Younger paternal aunt of Sharif Osman Hadi |
| Shafiz Uddin Munshi | Maternal grandfather | Known for local social contributions |
| Late Sharif Abdul Hadi | Maternal uncle (father of late Osman Hadi) | Formerly active in political and social initiatives |
Dr Mitu further emphasised that misleading news stories often circulate during election periods and can create unnecessary confusion among the public. She urged both media outlets and citizens to verify information before accepting it as fact, noting that misrepresentation of local figures can inadvertently generate political and social misunderstandings.
The NCP expressed hope that the clarification would prevent further confusion and reaffirmed that Shabnam Khadija’s participation in the rally was a local initiative rather than a politically orchestrated act.