Tributes, prayers mark Khaleda Zia’s birth anniversary

People from all walks of life, including BNP leaders, activists and supporters, on Saturday paid heartfelt tributes to late prime minister and BNP chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on her 81st birth anniversary.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, speaking at a cheque distribution programme for distressed and sick people at T&T Ground in Mohakhali, called on politicians to abandon "reckless and confusing politics" and come forward with concrete plans for the people's welfare, saying the days of "the politics of lies and chaos" were over. 

A special prayer was offered at the event seeking eternal peace for Khaleda Zia's departed soul.

At a milad and doa mahfil at BNP's Nayapaltan central office, presidential candidate and former secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said Khaleda Zia's sacrifice and inspiration always showed the party the way forward, and pledged to build BNP as "a modern democratic party." 

He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul of independence proclaimer Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. 

BNP Standing Committee member Ruhul Kabir Rizvi moderated the mahfil, at which Standing Committee members Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Dr Abdul Moeen Khan also spoke.

The day was further marked by visits to the grave of the uncompromising leader in Dhaka's Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where mourners placed wreaths and offered prayers. 

Dua and milad mahfils were also held at the party's Nayapaltan central office, with senior leaders in attendance praying for the eternal peace of her departed soul.

BNP leaders, activists and supporters also took part in various programmes across the country, including discussion meetings, prayers, munajat, and the distribution of food and clothes among the destitute.

While visiting her grave, this correspondent found that, alongside party leaders and activists, people from different parts of the country had also gathered to pay their respects to the late leader, who devoted her life to the struggle for parliamentary and multiparty democracy in Bangladesh. 

Some placed floral wreaths, while others raised their hands in prayer, seeking eternal peace for her departed soul.

Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Minister Prof Dr AZM Zahid Hossain paid tribute at her grave by reciting Surah Fatiha and offering munajat for the eternal peace of her departed soul. 

Speaking to reporters afterwards, he said that on the occasion of Khaleda Zia's  birth anniversary, he had prayed for the eternal peace of her soul as well as that of BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.

"By the infinite mercy of Allah, since her passing, people from all walks of life have stood by her coffin and prayed to Allah. May Allah grant her Jannat," he said.

Earlier, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Administrator Md Shafiqul Islam Khan paid tribute by placing a wreath at her grave. DNCC officials, led by the administrator, also placed wreaths and offered special munajat seeking eternal peace for her departed soul.

Later, former Dhaka University Chhatra Dal president and current BNP Central Committee Vice-President Khorshed Alam Sohel, along with leaders and activists, visited the grave to pay tribute. 

Speaking to journalists afterwards, he said, "On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the late uncompromising stateswoman Begum Khaleda Zia, a symbol of Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty, we visited her grave to pray for the eternal peace of her departed soul."

"Begum Khaleda Zia dedicated her entire life to the country and its people. Our Deshnetri had said that she had no place outside the country; this country and its people are everything to her," he added.

Khaleda Zia was born in Dinajpur on 15 August 1945 and married Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in 1960. 

Following his martyrdom in the failed coup of 1981, she joined the BNP as a general member on 2 January 1982 and was elected vice-chairman the following March. 

She was later elected BNP chairperson, a position she held until her death on 30 December 2025.

The party had earlier called upon countrymen to observe the day by holding milad mahfils and munajats at religious places across the country.