Nation observing last day of three-day state mourning for Khaleda Zia

The nation is observing the final day of the three-day state mourning declared following the death of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.

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

On this occasion, the national flag has been kept at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, public and private buildings, as well as at Bangladesh missions abroad.

In addition, special prayers and munajat were held at mosques across the country on Wednesday, seeking forgiveness for the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia, while special prayers were also organised at places of worship of other religions.

Condolence books remain open at Bangladesh missions abroad following the death of the former Prime Minister.

Begum Khaleda Zia, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 80, was laid to rest with full state honours beside her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in the capital on Wednesday.

Prior to the burial, millions of people from all walks of life, including foreign guests and diplomats, joined the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital.

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

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

The country’s first female Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, played a crucial role in the country’s transition to parliamentary democracy and in introducing 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, died in 2015.