In an unprecedented display of national grief, the namaz-e-janaza of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was held this afternoon at Manik Mia Avenue.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus joined the congregation, standing alongside Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, interim government advisers, and high-ranking civil and military officials. The funeral also saw significant international presence, with numerous foreign dignitaries and diplomats arriving in Dhaka to pay their final respects to the pro-democracy leader.
The Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area and surrounding streets were transformed into a sea of mourners. Despite the severe winter cold, hundreds of thousands of people began arriving late Tuesday night via buses, trains, launches, and the metro.
Supporters traveled from every corner of Bangladesh, with many spending the night outdoors to secure a place for the prayer. The capital witnessed scenes of deep sorrow, with many supporters weeping openly as the national flag-wrapped coffin arrived at the venue under strict state protocol.
Before the Janaza, the body was kept at her son Tarique Rahman’s Gulshan residence. Tarique Rahman and other relatives spent the morning reciting the Holy Quran beside the coffin. The motorcade departed Gulshan at 11:00 am and reached the Parliament premises at 11:50 am, escorted by foolproof security.
Following the Janaza, Begum Khaleda Zia is being taken to her final resting place beside her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. While the Janaza was open to the public, the burial at the grave site is a restricted state funeral ceremony reserved for family and designated dignitaries.
The country continues to observe a three-day state mourning and a one-day general holiday to honor the legacy of the first female Prime Minister of Bangladesh, who passed away Tuesday at age 80.
