Dhaka, Aug 11 (UNB) - BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, now in Saudi Arabia, performed Umrah at the holy Kaba Sharif in Makkah on Friday night.

Khaleda, also leader of the opposition in parliament, along with her entourage started the rituals of Umrah after Magrib prayers and Iftar, her press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan told UNB.

Later, she offered Esha prayers at Masjid ul Haram and prayed for the peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh and its people as well as the unity and solidarity of the Muslim Ummah.

Earlier, the BNP chief went to Makkah from Taif on Friday morning and said Jumma prayers at the Masjid ul Haram.

She returned to the Taif Royal Conference Palace on Friday night and stayed there as a royal guest along with her entourage.

Khaleda visited the holy site Al Shefa at Taif on Saturday afternoon and offered a special prayer there seeking peace and prosperity of the nation.

Later, she went to the holy Kaba Sharif in Makkah and offered Magrib, Esha and Qiyamul Lail prayers there.

She again returned to the Taif Royal Conference Palace at night.

The opposition leader is expected to go to Madinah on Sunday to perform special prayers at the Masjid-e-Nabvi.

During her stay in Madinah, Khaleda will offer Jiarat at the holy Rowja Mubarak of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SM).

The BNP chairperson left Dhaka on Wednesday on a flight of Emirates Airlines for the Saudi Kingdom on a 10-day visit at the invitation of the Saudi King to perform Umrah.

Khaleda’s family members, including her younger brother Shamim Iskasndar’s wife Kaniz Fatema and her youngest son Arafat Rahman’s wife Sharmila Rahman, are accompanying the former premier.

Earlier, on June 15, she had been in Saudi Arabia for medical checkup, also at the invitation of the Saudi government.

Khaleda is expected to return home after Shab-e-Qadr on August 18.