Staff Reporter:
Millions of people from across the country yesterday attended the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson, popular leader and three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.
The Janaza began around 3:00 pm while the coffin wrapped in the national flag was brought to the ven-ue around 2:45 pm with full state honor.
Standing Committee Member of BNP Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief biography of the late leader while Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek conducted the Janaza (funeral) prayers.
BNP Acting Chairman and elder son of the deceased, Tarique Rahman, sought prayers for his mother’s eternal peace, asking people to pray so that Allah grants her Jannat.
“I am Tarique Rahman, elder son of late Begum Khaleda Zia . . . please pray for my mother so that Al-lah grant her the Jannat,” Tarique told the gathering prior to the Janaza.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, foreign digni-taries, advisers of the interim government, chiefs of the three services, leaders of different political par-ties, senior civil and military officials, and family members joined the funeral prayers.
From Tuesday night, all major roads leading to Manik Mia Avenue were packed as mourners travelled from far flung areas of the country by bus, train, launch and metro rail and other modes of transports. Many spent the night outdoors near the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex to secure a place. Scenes of deep sorrow were visible as thousands wept openly, holding national flags, party banners and portraits of Begum Zia.
Law enforcement agencies tightened security across the area, deploying medical teams, ambulances, wa-ter distribution points and temporary shelters.
Metro rail stations saw heavy congestion as additional MRT Police were deployed at key stations, while authorities said the overall situation remained under control.
Mourners from all walks of life—including farmers, students, teachers, government employees and po-litical activists—described Begum Zia as a guardian of the nation and a symbol of democratic resistance. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir urged leaders and supporters to maintain disci-pline, calling the farewell a moment of national mourning.
Following the janaza, Begum Khaleda Zia’s body was taken to Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where she was laid to eternal rest beside her husband Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman with full state honor given by three services of the Armed Forces.
