Grieving nation bids farewell to democracy icon Khaleda Zia

Begum Khaleda Zia – democracy icon and uncompromising leader of the country – was laid to eternal rest with state honours in Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon, plunging the nation, including her party leaders and activists, into waves of sorrow.

The three-time former prime minister and BNP chairperson was buried beside the grave of her husband, late president Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

The burial process began around 4:30pm as Khaleda Zia’s body was lowered into her grave. Her elder son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman also joined others inside the grave to lower the body.

After the burial, a smartly turned-out contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, the Bangladesh Navy, and the Bangladesh Air Force presented a state salute with three gunshots in honour of Khaleda Zia, as the bugle played the last post.

On behalf of President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, floral wreaths were placed at the grave of Khaleda Zia. Later, Tarique Rahman and chiefs of the three services placed wreaths at her grave.

Following the burial, prayers were offered seeking the eternal peace of the departed soul.

Family members of the BNP chief, several advisers of the interim government, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Standing Committee members, and other senior leaders attended the burial rituals. 

To avoid overcrowding, the government earlier imposed restrictions on public attendance at the burial.

Millions of people from all walks of life joined her namaz-e-janaza at Manik Mia Avenue around 3pm on Wednesday. 

Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek conducted the funeral prayers while BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography of the party leader. 

Chief Adviser Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, and Tarique Rahman joined the janaza along with foreign dignitaries, advisers of the interim government, leaders of different political parties, and senior government and military officials.

Before the janaza, in his funeral speech, Tarique sought prayers for the eternal peace of the departed soul of his mother.

Mourners who gathered at the funeral venue and in front of the television screens prayed for Khaleda Zia, with tears rolling down their faces.  

From Tuesday night, all major roads leading to Manik Mia Avenue were crowded as people travelled from every corner of the country by buses, trains, launches, metro rail, and other means of transport to pay their final tribute to her. 

Khaleda Zia, widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, passed away early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.

The government has already announced three days of state mourning from Wednesday, which has also been declared a public holiday.