The nation of Bangladesh observed a day of solemnity as former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson, Begum Khaleda Zia, was laid to rest in the capital city of Dhaka. The final rites were conducted with state honour at the historic Sher-e-Bangla Nagar mosque on Thursday evening, drawing a massive crowd of mourners, political allies, and citizens.
A Nation in Mourning: The Final Journey
The funeral proceedings began with her son and BNP's acting chairman, Tarique Rahman, leading the janaza or funeral prayers from abroad via a video call—a poignant reflection of his exile. The prayers at the mosque commenced around 4:55 PM local time. Following the prayers, her body was taken to the Banani Graveyard for burial. She was laid to rest beside the grave of her husband, the late President Ziaur Rahman, the founder of the BNP, around 6:15 PM.
Her other son, Arafat Rahman Koko, had predeceased her. The government, under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, accorded her a state funeral, providing gun carriages and necessary protocol. The burial was attended by a limited number of close family members and senior BNP leaders, as per the conditions set for the ceremony.
Public Adieu and Political Legacy
Earlier in the day, thousands of citizens braved inclement weather to pay their last respects as her coffin was placed at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House). The public viewing started at 10:00 AM and continued for several hours, with mourners from all walks of life filing past her coffin, which was draped in the national flag.
Khaleda Zia, a four-time former Prime Minister, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 78 while undergoing treatment at Dhaka's Evercare Hospital. She had been battling various health complications for years, including liver cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and heart and kidney issues. Her political career was marked by her fierce rivalry with current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, shaping the nation's political landscape for decades.
Restrictions and a Quiet Farewell
The funeral and burial were conducted under a noticeable security blanket. Authorities had imposed restrictions around the key venues. Notably, the BNP's request to hold the funeral at the party's headquarters in Nayapaltan was not granted. The party's senior leadership, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, were present to bid farewell to their iconic leader.
With her passing, Bangladesh closes a significant chapter in its political history. Khaleda Zia's legacy as the country's first female Prime Minister and a central figure in opposition politics will continue to be a subject of discussion and analysis. Her burial next to Ziaur Rahman marks the end of an era for the BNP and its supporters, leaving a profound void in the nation's political arena.
