Tarique Rahman’s Return: Books Beside Him and Daughter Tell a Story

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman shared a photo from inside a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight with the caption: “In the skies of Bangladesh after 6,314 days.” It marked the end of his 17-year exile and the beginning of a long-awaited homecoming.

Beyond the emotion and politics, one detail caught the attention of many—two books placed beside Tarique Rahman and his daughter, Barrister Zaima Rahman. In a time when slogans dominate, these books quietly spoke of thought, memory and identity.

Beside Tarique was In the Light of What We Know, the debut novel of Bangladeshi-born British writer Zia Haider Rahman. Published in 2014, the book mixes philosophy, politics, economics and history, while also reflecting on Bangladesh’s political struggles. For many, it was symbolic that a leader returning after years of exile carried a novel so deeply tied to Bangladesh’s past and present. The book, which won the UK’s James Tait Black Prize, saw a sudden rise in demand in local bookstores after the photo went viral.

Zaima Rahman was seen with The Penguin Book of Bengali Short Stories, a collection of classics from both Bangladesh and West Bengal. The anthology includes works by Rabindranath Tagore, Humayun Ahmed, Akhtaruzzaman Elias, Shahidul Zahir, Selina Hossain and others. Covering themes from colonial times to the Liberation War and modern life, the book reflects a century of Bengali experience. Observers felt Zaima’s choice showed a connection to her cultural roots, especially with stories of the Liberation War adding emotional depth to her return.

Teachers and readers described the image as “symbolic,” saying it showed how the younger generation of the diaspora tries to stay connected with Bangladesh’s culture and history.

In politics, appearances are often staged. But these books did not look like props. They carried quiet meaning—about exile, memory and return. For many, the photo was a refreshing change from usual political drama. It reminded people that leadership and belonging are also shaped by reading and reflection.

On that flight back to Bangladesh after 17 years, the books were more than travel companions. They became silent witnesses to a journey home—showing that before nations are governed, they are imagined, written and remembered.

By Mahmud H/ Sangbad24