The remains of Shahed Ahmed Ashik, 32, one of two Bangladeshis among 13 people killed in a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were buried beside his grandfather in the family graveyard in Bogura's Shajahanpur upazila today (23 October).
His remains reached Madla Purba Para village around noon. Following a namaz-e-janaza at the grounds of Government Madla Chachaitara United High School, he was laid to rest in the family graveyard.
As the body arrived, his two sons, Kawsar, 11, and Abdullah, 6, broke down in tears while clinging to their father's coffin. Relatives mourned his death, while hundreds of people from nearby areas gathered from the morning to pay their last respects.
According to family members, Shahed went to Saudi Arabia two years ago to support his family. He returned to Bangladesh on leave two months ago and travelled back to Saudi Arabia on 9 October.
He arrived at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh around 5pm local time on 10 October. Shortly after speaking to his wife, Kakoli Begum, by phone from the Terminal 3 area, he was killed in the missile strike, family members said.
It was his last conversation with his wife.
Shahed's father, Rafiqul Islam, has been living in Saudi Arabia for nearly 20 years. His mother returned to Bangladesh after his death, but his father has been unable to come home because of visa complications.
His wife and two children now face an uncertain future.
Shahed's uncle, Amjad Hossain, appealed to the government to support Kakoli and her children, saying the family had been left in a difficult situation following his death.
Bogura-6 MP Rezaul Karim Badsha attended the funeral prayer after the body arrived in Bangladesh and spoke with the grieving family.
The body reached Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka around 8:30am on Friday, where State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam received it, according to the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
The remains were later handed over to the family. During the handover, the Wage Earners' Welfare Board provided immediate financial assistance, including Tk35,000 for burial and transportation costs and a special grant of Tk50,000 following his death in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Shahed's employer, Sa'ad Al-Essa Contracting Company, deposited 27,395.62 Saudi riyals, equivalent to around Tk9 lakh, into the account of the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh.
The amount covers his outstanding salary, allowances and service benefits. It will be formally handed over to the family through the Wage Earners' Welfare Board soon.
The family may also receive an additional Tk3 lakh, subject to having a valid Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET) card or equivalent identification.
It could also be eligible for a further Tk10 lakh in insurance benefits, depending on the applicable coverage, the ministry said.
Shahed Ahmed Ashik, 32, was one of two Bangladeshis among 13 people killed in a missile attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on 10 October this year.