Khaleda Zia's death casts shadow of grief over nation

Bangladesh has plunged into deep shock and mourning at the death of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson and former prime minister Khaleda Zia, a towering figure in the country's political history. 

Her passing marks the end of an era and has prompted an outpouring of grief, reflection, and political tributes from across the nation and the world.

The United Nations (UN), the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan and other countries have expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Khaleda Zia.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, in a televised address to the nation, announced a three-day state mourning from tomorrow at the death of Khaleda Zia. 

He also declared a general holiday tomorrow (31 December), the day of her Namaz-e-Janaza. 

"Today, our entire nation stands still in deep grief and sorrow . . . With her death, the nation has lost a great guardian," the chief adviser said in his address.

"At this moment of profound grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences -- on behalf of the entire nation -- to her family, political colleagues and countless leaders, activists and supporters," Prof Yunus said.

Khaleda Zia will be laid to eternal rest beside her late husband, president Ziaur Rahman's grave in the city, following her namaj-e-janaza tomorrow (31 December).

The janaza will be held at the Jatiya Sangsad South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue after Zuhr prayers. 

The Council of Advisers held a special meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna this morning (30 December) following the demise of Khaleda Zia.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus chaired the meeting while BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the meeting at a special invitation.

After the meeting, Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul briefed the media in front of the Jamuna.

At the outset of the meeting, members of the Council of Advisers observed a one-minute silence to pay tribute to the three-time former prime minister, uncompromising leader of the democratic movement, and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia.

They also offered prayers seeking forgiveness for Khaleda Zia's departed soul.

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain conducted the munajat (prayer).

The meeting also adopted a condolence motion over Khaleda Zia's death. 

Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting and Water Resources Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan read out the motion.

During the three days of state mourning, Prof Asif Nazrul said, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous institutions, educational institutions, all public and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.

In addition, special prayers and Munajat will be arranged tomorrow at every mosque across the country seeking forgiveness for the departed soul of Khaleda Zia, he said, adding that special prayers will also be organised at places of worship of other religions.

According to the decision of the meeting, the law adviser said, condolence books will be opened at Bangladesh missions abroad on the death of the former prime minister.

Advisers of the interim government, political parties, cultural and social organisations, professional bodies, and institutions also mourned her death by issuing condolence messages.

Social media users also expressed condolences, sharing Khaleda Zia's photos and videos from various periods. 

Khaleda Zia, who served as prime minister thrice, was one of the most influential and consequential leaders in Bangladesh's post-independence politics. 

As the widow of late president Ziaur Rahman, she rose from a largely apolitical background to become a central figure in shaping the country's democratic trajectory. 

Her leadership of the BNP for decades defined politics and electoral competition in Bangladesh.

News of her death spread rapidly, casting a pall of sorrow across the country. 

BNP offices nationwide were filled with grieving leaders and supporters, while party flags were lowered to half-mast. 
Thousands of activists, well-wishers, and ordinary citizens gathered to pay their respects, recalling her role in political movements, electoral battles, and the restoration of parliamentary democracy in the 1990s.

Political leaders from across the spectrum expressed condolences, acknowledging her enduring impact on national politics despite deep partisan divisions. 

Messages of sympathy also poured in from abroad, reflecting her international stature as a former head of government and a key South Asian political leader.

Khaleda Zia's political life was marked by various achievements and challenges. 

She played a pivotal role in the mass uprising that led to the fall of military ruler Hussain Muhammad Ershad and was instrumental in steering the country toward democratic governance. 

In recent years, prolonged illness had kept her largely out of active politics, heightening public concern over her health. Her death has now left a profound void in the political arena of Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh mourns, Khaleda Zia will be remembered as a leader who shaped decades of political discourse, mobilised millions, and left an indelible imprint on the nation's democratic struggle. 

BNP will observe seven days of mourning following the death of party chairperson Khaleda Zia, the party announced today (30 December). 

As part of the programme, black flags will be hoisted at all BNP offices across the country for seven days. Leaders and activists at all levels of the party will wear black badges during the mourning period. Prayers will be held at every party office.

Condolence books will be opened at the BNP offices, including the party chairperson's office in Gulshan, the central office at Nayapaltan, and district-level offices, where political leaders and well-wishers will be able to write messages paying tribute.

Adviser to the Ministries of Finance and Science and Technology Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Water Resources Ministries Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Primary and Mass Education Adviser Professor Dr Bidhan Ranjan Roy Podder, Food and Land Adviser Ali Imam Majumder, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma and other advisers mourned the death of Khaleda Zia.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam, Chief Coordinator of Ganosamhati Andolon Zonayed Saki, Bangladesh Labour Party chairman Dr Mustafizur Rahman Iran, Janata Party Bangladesh (JPB) Acting Chairman Golam Sarwar Milon and Acting Secretary General Md Asaduzzaman expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Khaleda Zia.