Millions say tearful goodbye to Khaleda Zia
Millions of people from all walks of life joined the funeral today to say goodbye to the uncompromising leader, who has been laid to rest beside her late husband Ziaur Rahman
After a grand funeral attended by millions from all walks of life, Bangladesh's first female prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia has been laid to eternal rest beside her husband, late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, at the capital's Zia Uddyan.
Her namaz-e-janaza was held across the inner ground of the Jatiya Sangsad around 3pm today (31 December). Millions gathered to join the prayer as crowds swelled beyond the Parliament complex and Manik Mia Avenue, stretching as far as Agargaon in the north, and Karwan Bazar in the south.
Metro rail platforms and rooftops in the surrounding areas were also filled with people who lined up patiently for hours until the prayer was held.
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Following the janaza, Khaleda's body was taken to Zia Uddyan where she was buried with state honours at around 4:45pm.
Foreign ministers and high-level dignitaries from across South Asia converged in Dhaka to pay their final respects to the former prime minister of Bangladesh, with Nepal's Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma arriving in the capital Tuesday night, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaching Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:30am yesterday, Bhutan's Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister Lyonpo DN Dhungyel arriving earlier in the morning, and Speaker of Pakistan's National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq also landing in Dhaka later yesterday to attend the funeral.
Draped in the national flag of Bangladesh, Khaleda's coffin departed from Evercare Hospital towards Gulshan at around 8:34am. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was present at the hospital at the time.
Members of the Armed Special Force (ASF), President Guard Regiment (PGR), Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), police, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) secured the vehicle as it moved out of Evercare Hospital.
The hearse was brought directly to Tarique Rahman's house in Gulshan. The motorcade carrying the body arrived at the National Parliament grounds at the capital's Manik Mia Avenue around 11:48am.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, advisers of the interim government, senior civil and military officers, foreign diplomats, Khaleda Zia's family members and relatives as well as millions of people from all walks of life including leaders of different political parties were present in the janaza venue.
BNP Standing Committee Nazrul Islam Khan outlined Khaleda Zia's life and career, and then Tarique Rahman addressed the people. He sought everyone's prayers so that the departed soul of Khaleda Zia may be granted eternal peace in heaven.
The namaz-e-janaza was led by Baitul Mukarram Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek.
Khaleda Zia was laid to rest at Zia Uddyan at around 4:45pm in the presence of her son Tarique Rahman, relatives, armed forces officials and many others.
After the burial, a contingent drawn from the Bangladesh Army, Navy, and Air Force presented a state salute with three gun-shots in honour of Begum Khaleda Zia.
On behalf of the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, his Military Secretary, Major General Abul Hasnat Mohammad Tariq, placed a floral wreath at the grave after the burial ceremony.
Adviser for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs Asif Nazrul showed respect in a similar fashion on behalf of the advisory council.
Later, heads of three armed forces – Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan – paid their respects at the grave of Khaleda Zia by placing floral wreaths and saluting the grave.
Khaleda Zia is survived by her son Tarique Rahman and a host of relatives.
Tarique Rahman returned home on 25 December after 17 years in exile. Khaleda's younger son Arafat Rahman Koko died in Malaysia in 2015.
Begum Khaleda Zia, who is widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, breathed her last on Tuesday morning at the age of 79 while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city.
She had been suffering from multiple health complications, including heart and lung, liver and kidney, diabetes, arthritis, and eye-related ailments. The BNP chairperson had a permanent pacemaker and previously underwent stenting in her heart.
Begum Zia, the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, was admitted to Evercare Hospital on 23 November following the advice of her medical board after being diagnosed with infections in her heart and lungs. Begum Zia had also been suffering from pneumonia.
Since returning from London on 6 May, after receiving advanced medical care, Khaleda Zia had been undergoing regular check-ups at the Evercare Hospital.
