The nation of Bangladesh is in a state of solemn mourning as it prepares for the final rites of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The funeral of the country's first woman premier is scheduled for today, 31 December 2025, at Zia Udyan in the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area of the capital, Dhaka.
State Funeral Arrangements and Schedule
According to the country's law advisor, Asif Nazrul, the burial service will be held after the Zohr prayers. The funeral prayers, or Namaz-e-Janaza, are specifically scheduled for 2:00 PM at the Parliament's South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue. The ceremony is expected to draw a massive crowd of mourners paying their last respects to the veteran political leader.
Khaleda Zia, who served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh twice and was the chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80. She had been battling a prolonged illness and breathed her last at the Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Her elder son, Tarique Rahman, the acting Chairman of the BNP, announced her demise.
International Dignitaries and Final Resting Place
The high-profile funeral will see dignitaries from across the globe in attendance. Notably, India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, will be present to represent India and pay homage. The funeral will be conducted with full state honours, a testament to her significant role in the nation's history.
Following the prayers, her body will be laid to rest at Zia Udyan, next to the grave of her husband, former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman. This fulfills the family's wishes and places her alongside her political and life partner.
Three-Day Mourning and Public Observances
In response to her passing, the interim government of Bangladesh, led by chief Muhammad Yunus, has declared a three-day state mourning period. Additionally, a one-day general holiday has been announced for the day of her funeral prayers.
Authorities have imposed several restrictions in the Dhaka Metropolitan area to maintain the sombre atmosphere during the mourning period. These include:
- A ban on fireworks or firecrackers, despite the New Year's Eve timing.
- Prohibition on cultural programs in open spaces.
- Restrictions on the release of gas balloons and sky lanterns.
The body of the late leader was kept at the hospital mortuary overnight. As per the plan reported by local media, it was to be taken to her residence, 'Feroza,' in Gulshan on Wednesday morning before being moved to the Parliament's South Plaza for the final rites.
The passing of Khaleda Zia marks the end of an era in Bangladeshi politics. As the main political rival of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her life and career were central to the nation's political narrative for decades. Today's state funeral is a historic event, drawing the curtain on the life of a formidable leader whose legacy will continue to influence Bangladesh's future.
