Khaleda Zia passes away: Nation observes second day of state mourning

The nation is observing the second consecutive day of state mourning following the death of three-time former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

In a televised address to the nation on Tuesday, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced a three-day state mourning beginning Wednesday, along with a one-day general holiday on the same day.

As part of the mourning observances, the national flag is being flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational establishments, public and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.

Special prayers and munajat were held at mosques across the country on Wednesday, seeking forgiveness for the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia. Special prayers were also organised at places of worship of other faiths. Condolence books have been opened at Bangladesh missions abroad to allow people to pay their respects.

Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 80. She was laid to rest with full state honours beside the grave of her husband, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in the capital’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Wednesday afternoon.

Prior to the burial, millions of people from all walks of life, including foreign guests and diplomats, attended her namaz-e-janaza at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.

The funeral prayers were joined by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, foreign dignitaries, advisers of the interim government, chiefs of the three armed services, leaders of various political parties, senior civil and military officials, and family members.

Among the foreign dignitaries present were Speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq; Bhutan’s Foreign Minister DN Dhungyel; India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar; Nepal’s Foreign Minister Bala Nanda Sharma; Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; and Maldives’ Minister of Higher Education, Labour and Skills Development Dr Ali Haidar Ahmed.

The country’s first female prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia is widely regarded as an uncompromising champion of democracy. She played a pivotal role in Bangladesh’s transition to parliamentary democracy and in the introduction of the caretaker government system.

She is survived by her elder son Tarique Rahman, two daughters-in-law and three grandchildren. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, passed away in 2015.