Funeral, burial today with state honours

Former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia's funerals and burial will be held today with state honours, her party and the government announced Tuesday after her death.

Her Namaz-e-Janaza (funeral prayers) will be held after Zuhr prayers Wednesday (today) at the South Plaza of the National Parliament and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue. She will be buried beside her husband, martyred President and Bir Muktijoddha Ziaur Rahman, at the Zia Udyan on the north side of the lake in-between the parliament house and the park.

BNP Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir announced the funeral arrangements at a briefing on Tuesday afternoon at the BNP chairperson's political office in Gulshan, following an emergency meeting of the party's Standing Committee.

A 3-day state mourning has been declared by the government on the demise of the ex-premier. The government also declared public holiday for today (Wednesday).

"Her funerals and burial will all be done with full state honours," the CA's press secretary said after an emergency meeting of the interim cabinet on Tuesday afternoon, which the BNP secretary-general also attended on special invitation.

During the three days of mourning, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, all government and non-government buildings, and Bangladesh missions abroad.

Special prayers and supplications will be arranged at every mosque in the country seeking forgiveness for the departed soul. Special prayers will also be held at places of worship of other religions.

The meeting also decided that condolence books will be opened at Bangladesh missions abroad following the former prime minister's death.

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, at the meeting, on behalf of the family and the party of former Prime Minister Zia, expressed gratitude to the interim government and thanked Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus for necessary assistance in all areas, including Khaleda Zia's security.

At the meeting, Chief Adviser Yunus said the government would extend all kinds of cooperation regarding the funeral and burial of Begum Zia.

"Today we have gathered together in a time of deep sorrow. The entire nation had been praying for Begum Khaleda Zia so that she might remain with us for many more years. We pray for the forgiveness of her soul. On behalf of the nation, we extend our condolences to her family. The government will provide all necessary assistance for her burial and janaza."

Mirza Fakhrul, at the press meet, said all preparations were being made to ensure the funeral is held "with dignity, discipline, and respect".

Earlier in the day, another two-hour meeting was held under the leadership of BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman to discuss organisational matters and national programmes following Khaleda Zia's death.

The special Standing Committee meeting formally started at 12:38pm, chaired by Tarique Rahman.

Among those present at the meeting were Dr Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Mirza Abbas, Babu Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.

Senior leaders Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, and Hafizuddin Ahmed Bir Bikram joined the meeting from their respective areas.

Mirza Fakhrul said the funeral prayers will be led by the khatib of the National Mosque, Baitul Mokarram, while the overall programme will be conducted by BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.

He urged people from all walks of life to participate in the funerals and burial peacefully and in an orderly manner, avoiding any untoward incident.

He also announced a seven-day mourning programme across the country.

"The government has declared state mourning and a general holiday, and we thank the government for this decision," Mirza Fakhrul told reporters.

He added that BNP will observe seven days of mourning nationwide.

During this period, party leaders and activists will wear black badges, black flags will be flown at all party offices, and Quran recitation and special prayers will be arranged.

He called on party members and supporters to observe the programme with solemnity and restraint.

In a message, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman said, "My mother, BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, has responded to the call of Almighty Allah.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un (We belong to Allah, and to Him we shall return)."

He describes her as the "Mother of Democracy" and a leader who played a decisive role in shaping Bangladesh's democratic journey.

"To many, she was the leader of the nation and a symbol of courage and resistance. To me, she was a loving and caring mother who dedicated her entire life to the country and its people," says Tarique, who returned home just few days back from long exile in London.

He recalls her lifelong struggle against autocracy, fascism, and political oppression, noting that she remained firm in her principles despite repeated persecution.

Begum Khaleda Zia entered politics after the assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981.

She later founded and led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to national prominence. She served as prime minister thrice-first in 1991, then in 1996, and again from 2001 to 2006-becoming the first woman prime minister of Bangladesh through a democratic election.

Under her leadership, the country saw significant political transitions, including the restoration of parliamentary democracy in the early 1990s.

In later years, she faced multiple legal cases, periods of imprisonment, and restrictions on her movement and medical treatment by the fascist regime.

She endured a political persecution of nearly one decade during the Hasina's fascist regime and become a symbol of resistance and democratic struggle of the sub-continent.

Tarique Rahman said for the sake of the country, Khaleda Zia lost her husband and later her son, Arafat Rahman Koko.

"In that loss, the people of Bangladesh became her family and her purpose," he says, adding that her life was defined by sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the nation.

As condolences poured in from political leaders, diplomats, and citizens at home and abroad, the country prepared to bid farewell to one of its most prominent leaders.

Tarique Rahman urges the nation to pray for her departed soul and thanks people worldwide for their love, respect, and sympathy, calling for calm and unity at this moment of national grief.

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