Raisa Moni (9), a third-grade student of Milestone School and College in Dhaka’s Uttara who suffered 80% burns in the school plane crash, has been laid to rest at her village home in Faridpur.
Her funeral prayer was held on Friday (26 July), at around 9:15 AM at the Eidgah ground in Bajra Dakshinpara under Gopalpur Union of Alfadanga Upazila in the district. Later, her body was buried at the graveyard of Bajra Shamsul Ulum Madrasa and Orphanage.
Alfadanga UNO Russel Iqbal, members of the army, and local worshippers were present at the janaza.
It has been reported that Raisa Moni (9), a third-grade student, had been missing since the plane crash at Milestone School and College. She could not be located following the accident. Eventually, her father, Shahabul Sheikh (44), identified her based on part of her burned face at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH). Based on the father’s claim, DNA was collected from the body at CMH on Tuesday afternoon and sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. Once the DNA report confirmed the body belonged to Raisa, it was handed over to the family around 11 PM on Thursday night. When Raisa’s body arrived at Bajra village in Gopalpur Union of Alfadanga Upazila in Faridpur on Friday morning, the surrounding atmosphere became heavy with grief. From early morning, relatives and villagers gathered at Raisa’s house, mourning and wailing.
According to family sources, Raisa Moni was the daughter of Shahabul Sheikh and Mim Akhter of Bajra village, Gopalpur Union, Alfadanga Upazila, Faridpur. Shahabul Sheikh lived with his family in a rented house in Naya Nagar, Uttara, Dhaka. He is the owner of a garment accessories company. Raisa had one brother and two sisters. She was the middle child among the sisters. She was a third-grade student at Milestone School and College in Uttara, Dhaka. Her elder sister, Cynthia (14), is an eighth-grade student at the same school. Her younger brother Rafsan (4) is the youngest. Raisa’s parents had dreams of educating their children at good schools and raising them to be well-educated, good human beings. That is why they enrolled her in Milestone School and College in Uttara.
Raisa’s uncle Imdadul Sheikh said, “Raisa had been missing since the accident. We couldn’t find her. After searching various places and hospitals, we finally found her body at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka around 1:30 PM last Tuesday. Her father identified her from her burned face. We returned home last night. Her funeral was held at 9:15 AM this morning, and she was buried at the local graveyard.”
Obaidur Rahman, former UP member of Ward No. 1 of Gopalpur Union, said, “The premature death of Raisa Moni has left the entire community in shock. When her body arrived at her home, it created a heartbreaking scene. There was not a single person who did not cry for the little girl.”
Alfadanga Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Russel Iqbal, present at the janaza, said in an emotional voice, “Raisa Moni died in the plane crash at Milestone School in Uttara. This grief is unbearable. May Allah give her parents the strength to endure this sorrow. We, the upazila administration, stand by Raisa Moni’s family. We will all pray for her.”
