Bangladesh may well rename its main airport from Zia International to Hazrat Shah Jalal, after the 13th century Muslim Sufi saint. Although the saint was born not in modern day Bangladesh but Turkey, he commands great respect among Muslims of the Indian subcontinent.
All of the country’s other main airports are named after Islamic Sufi saints, who are respected for their attitude towards creating harmonious societies with liberal outlooks.
However the airport is currently named after President Ziaur Rahman, who was killed in an abortive military coup in 1981. And his widow Khaleda Zia has just finished a term in office as Prime Minister. So will her supporters in the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party be in favour of the proposed switch by their rival Awami League led government?
