Sea of mourners attend Khaleda Zia’s janaza

A massive outpouring of grief marked the janaza of BNP Chairperson and three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia as millions of people from all walks of life gathered in the capital on Wednesday to bid her a final farewell.

From early morning, huge crowds started gathering in and around the National Parliament building area to attend the former prime minister’s funeral prayer.

The congregation stretched far beyond the Parliament complex, with mourners spilling into roads from the Parliament area to Karwan Bazar, from Asad Gate to near Mohammadpur Town Hall, and from Agargaon Metro Station to areas near Shishu Mela in Shyamoli.

The janaza venue, South Plaza of the National Parliament, and Manik Mia Avenue were filled with people before noon.

Those who rushed to the venue after 12pm could do nothing but stay on the roads at Karwan Bazar, Bijoy Sarani, Agargaon, Mirpur Road, Dhanmondi 27 and Dhanmondi 32, Asad Gate and adjoining roads.

Most of the people had to reach the said areas on foot several kilometres as public vehicles could not move through the huge number of people marching towards the funeral venue.

People from different professions, age groups and political backgrounds joined the funeral prayer, turning the area into a sea of humanity. Many wore black badges to mourn the veteran leader’s death.

As there was no arrangement for water for ablution in many areas where people attended Khaleda Zia’s namaz-e-janaza, many were seen buying bottled drinking water to cleanse themselves. Many were also found offering Zuhr prayer on the roads in small congregations.

Jasim Uddin, an employee of a private company, left his residence at Dhaka’s Madhya Badda in the morning to participate in the janaza.

When he reached Mohakhali rail crossing by a rickshaw at about 12:30pm, he found hundreds of people walking towards the venue. As no vehicle could move further, he – like many others – began walking and could reach Bhasani Novo Theatre. He could not advance further as a huge number of people already jam-packed the area ahead, Jasim told the Daily Sun.

The janaza began around 3pm and concluded at 3:05pm.

The prayer was led by the khatib of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek.

Syed Sabbir Hasan, a resident of the Mohammadpur area, told the Daily Sun, “Today our country has become guardianless. My entire family has been trying to accept this reality since yesterday, but we simply cannot.”

Mohammad Sajib Rahman, a rickshaw puller, said, “In this difficult moment for the country, her leadership was badly needed. But the harsh reality is that she is no longer with us. May Allah grant her Jannat.” Nityananda Pal, a leader of Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (Dhaka University Unit), said Khaleda Zia’s uncompromising political stance had inspired him since childhood.

“She has left us all alone at such a crucial time. May God bless her soul,” he said.

Shafiul Alam, a Jamaat-e-Islami leader, said Khaleda Zia’s role in restoring and establishing democracy in the country must be acknowledged by all political parties.

“Even though my political ideology is different from the BNP, our struggles were always the same. She led that struggle from the front for a long time,” he said.

A Chhatra Dal leader from Pabna, Mahiuddin Simanta, said the entire country was in mourning.

“Today, Bangladesh is grieving for her. We are at least able to bid her farewell with the respect she deserves,” he added. 

BNP leader Jalal Sikder, who came from Khulna, recalled Khaleda Zia’s role in democratic movements.

“We carried out many movements to restore democracy under her leadership. She was our source of strength. Seeing her gave us courage,” he said.

Nazat Mridha, a student of North South University, said she watched the janaza from her rooftop near the Parliament area. “Given the huge crowd, going there was not practical. Still, I wished to see her one last time. That wish remained unfulfilled,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chhatra Dal leader Tanjiul Haque Miazy, who came from Feni, where Begum Khaleda Zia’s ancestral home is located, said the people of the country loved her deeply. “We have always said, ‘Khaleda is Feni’s daughter, our pride is different.’ From today, that pride is no longer with us,” he said.

The reporters can be reached at: [email protected], [email protected]