Nation Observes Final Day of State Mourning for Khaleda Zia

BNP chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : Collected

The nation is observing the final day of the three-day state mourning following the death of three-time former prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address on Tuesday, announced the three-day state mourning beginning Wednesday, along with a one-day general holiday on the same day.

As part of the observance, the national flag is being kept at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, and public and private buildings across the country, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.

Special prayers and munajat were held at mosques nationwide on Wednesday, seeking forgiveness for the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia. Special prayers were also organised at places of worship of other religions. Condolence books remain open at Bangladesh missions abroad.

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 80. She was laid to rest with full state honours beside her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in the capital on Wednesday.

Before the burial, millions of people from all walks of life, including foreign guests and diplomats, attended her namaz-e-janaza at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, members of the interim government, chiefs of the three armed services, leaders of various political parties, senior civil and military officials, and family members joined the funeral prayers.

Foreign dignitaries present included the Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, the foreign ministers of Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, as well as senior ministers from the Maldives.

The country’s first female prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia is widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy. She played a key role in Bangladesh’s return to parliamentary democracy and the introduction of the caretaker government system.

She is survived by her elder son Tarique Rahman, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, died in 2015.