Political leaders unite in mourning Khaleda Zia's death

Leaders from across the political spectrum of Bangladesh have expressed deep sorrow at the death of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

The former prime minister passed away at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka this morning (30 December).

In a post announcing her death on the party's verified Facebook page, the BNP said Khaleda Zia passed away at 6am shortly after Fajr prayers. "We pray for the forgiveness of her soul and request everyone to offer prayers for her departed soul."

"We are deeply saddened by the death of our chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia," reads a post from BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir's Facebook account. 

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus also expressed profound sorrow at the death of Khaleda Zia. In a condolence message, he said that with her passing, the nation has lost a great guardian. "I am deeply saddened and grief-stricken by her death." 

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam paid tribute to Khaleda Zia in a Facebook post, expressing condolences over her passing.

"She was the most graceful of all leaders – a symbol of our resistance and a patriot of the highest order. She remained a fighter until the very end, a beacon of hope in our most difficult times. Through her lifelong struggle, she defined the true spirit of Bangladesh. She was my hero," he said.

Offering prayers, Shafiqul added, "Rest in peace, Begum Khaleda Zia. May Allah grant you the most beautiful place in Jannah. May you rest in eternal peace."

Mourning Khaleda Zia's death, Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Adviser Supradip Chakma said in a message, "Her role in the country's transition to parliamentary democracy and national development will be remembered. In her death, the country has lost an experienced politician."

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman expressed condolences, saying, "May Almighty Allah shower His mercy upon former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, forgive her and grant her a place in Jannah. May Allah grant patience to her family members, loved ones, and colleagues."

Ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, living in exile in India, expressed sorrow at the death of the BNP chief, according to a post on the Awami League's Facebook page. 

"As Bangladesh's first woman prime minister, her contributions to the movement for establishing democracy were immense. Her death represents an irreparable loss to the country's current political landscape and to the leadership of the BNP. I pray for the forgiveness of Begum Khaleda Zia's soul," she said.

National Citizen Party Convener (NCP) Nahid Islam also mourned her death, saying, "In her long political career, she was imprisoned multiple times and endured many ups and downs, yet remained steadfast in her political ideals and in defending the rights of the people."

He added that Khaleda Zia was uncompromising on issues of national sovereignty and that her contribution to the struggle for democracy in Bangladesh will be remembered.

"With her passing, a long and eventful chapter of Bangladesh's political history has come to an end," Nahid said, praying for the forgiveness of her soul and expressing sympathy to her bereaved family and followers.

In a condolence message, Jatiyo Party Chairman GM Quader mourned the death of Khaleda Zia, saying the late BNP chief represented an important chapter in Bangladesh's political history. 

Her death, he said, is a loss of a senior and influential political figure for the country, one that will not be easily filled.

Reacting to her death, Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki wrote on Facebook, "We are deeply saddened by her death."

Maulana Mamunul Haque, amir of the Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis, and Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmed expressed their condolences in a joint statement, saying they deeply mourn Khaleda Zia's passing and recall her monumental contributions to the nation's history.

In a joint statement, Gono Odhikar Parishad President Nurul Haq Nur and acting general secretary Hasan Al Mamun said Khaleda Zia's death is not merely a loss for a single political party but an irreplaceable loss for the entire nation, adding that her absence has created a void in the country's politics.

Describing the BNP chief as a courageous and patriotic Bangladeshi Muslim woman, Hefazat-e-Islam Ameer Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sazedur Rahman said in a joint statement that her long struggle against "Indian hegemony and the fascist Hasina government" and immense sacrifices will remain a memorable chapter in Bangladesh's political history.

Mahfuj Alam, who recently resigned as an adviser in the interim government, also expressed grief, writing on Facebook: "May Allah grant Begum Khaleda Zia, a symbol of the country's independence and sovereignty, the highest place in Jannah."

Calling Khaleda Zia the uncompromising leader, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain, who also recently resigned from his post in the government and became the NCP spokesperson, said, "Bangladesh will remember you."

Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Basad) General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz expressed deep sorrow over the death of the BNP chairperson.

The Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) expressed deep sorrow and grief at her passing, saying Khaleda Zia's contributions to the struggle for political coexistence, civil rights and national sovereignty in Bangladesh will remain a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Ducsu prayed for the forgiveness of Khaleda Zia's soul and extended its deep condolences to her bereaved family, well-wishers and the people of the country.