DHAKA, Dec 31: Hundreds of thousands of people gathered on Wednesday to bid an emotional farewell to former Bangladeshi prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who was laid to rest near the parliament building amid tight security.
Zia, a three-time prime minister and one of Bangladesh’s most influential political figures, died on Tuesday at the age of 80 following a prolonged illness.
Her funeral, held at Manik Mia Avenue, was attended by dignitaries from Bangladesh and abroad, including Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, and Zia’s son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman.
Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, senior leaders from Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and the Maldives, along with diplomats, ambassadors, and senior political and military officials, also paid their respects.
Zia’s coffin, draped in the national flag, was brought in a convoy from her residence as thousands of mourners gathered outside the parliament complex for a final glimpse.
BNP supporters carried party flags and photographs of their leader, while emotional scenes unfolded as people from all walks of life offered prayers for her soul.
Funeral prayers were led by Baitul Mokarram National Mosque’s chief cleric, Mohammad Abdul Kader, and BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography.
Following the prayers, Zia was buried beside her husband’s grave with full state honours. The government declared three days of state mourning and a one-day general holiday.
Zia had suffered from multiple chronic health conditions, including heart, liver and kidney complications. Her political career spanned over four decades, marked by historic achievements and controversies.
She entered politics after the 1981 assassination of her husband, BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, and in 1991 became Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and the second in the Muslim world.
Sea of humanity pours in for Khaleda Zia’s funeral
Tens of thousands of mourners from across Bangladesh gathered at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Wednesday to pay their final respects to former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, who died on Tuesday.
A dominant figure in Bangladesh’s politics for decades, Zia’s death prompted an outpouring of grief, with people from all walks of life travelling to the capital by bus, train, and metro to attend her funeral. Scenes of deep sorrow marked the day as many mourners wept openly. The massive influx of BNP leaders, supporters and ordinary citizens overwhelmed the capital, prompting authorities to deploy large numbers of police and Armed Police Battalion personnel to manage the crowds.
Despite cold weather, many people spent the night outdoors near the venue to secure a spot. Among them was 62-year-old farmer Sattar Mia from Bogura, who said he felt compelled to see his leader one last time.
Traffic restrictions were imposed around Manik Mia Avenue and the parliament complex, while metro stations overflowed with mourners heading to the funeral prayers.
Extensive security measures were put in place as crowds began gathering from early morning, hours before the scheduled start of the namaz-e-janaza.
Zia’s coffin, draped in the national flag, arrived at the parliament complex with tens of thousands rallying behind it. Her elder son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman, along with senior party leaders, followed the hearse.
Mourners stood shoulder to shoulder holding national flags, party banners and portraits of Zia, with some climbing rooftops and overbridges due to lack of space. Many were unable to reach the venue in time because of the sheer crowd.
The funeral prayers were held after 2:30 pm, led by Baitul Mokarram National Mosque’s chief cleric Mohammad Abdul Kader. Khaleda Zia was later laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with full state honours. (PTI)
