DHAKA: Opposition leader and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia leaves for Saudi Arabia Monday for performing Umrah at the special invitation of Saudi King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

She will be accompanied by her family members, officials of her office and a group of journalists on the pilgrimage.

Her daughter-in-law Sharmila Rahman, granddaughter Jaima Rahman, younger brother Shamim Iskander and his wife Kaniz Fatema, press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan Sohel, special assistant Shimul Biswas, personal secretary SM Saleh Ahmed and member of the press wing Shamsuddin Didar and photographer Nuruddin Ahmed will join her entourage.

The ex-premier will leave Dhaka at around 4pm Monday by an Emirates Airways flight, one of her officials said.

“She is expected to return home on September 9 after the umrah,” he said.

BDST: 1300 HRS, 29 AUGUST 2010