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BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has expressed gratitude to the millions of people who paid their respects to his mother, former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, during her funeral and burial.
“Today, at a time of greatest sorrow, I feel like this whole nation is my family,” Tarique wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday.
Khaleda’s funeral was held on Wednesday in front of the National Parliament amid a huge gathering, according to bdnews24.com.
She was later buried with state honours beside the grave of her husband, BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan.
“I am deeply moved by the outpouring of love from so many friends, neighbours, well-wishers, and families who came in their millions to honour her life and legacy,” Tarique said.
“Seeing you all here, standing with our family through these most difficult hours, reminded me of something very precious: that she was not only a mother to me, but in many ways a mother of this nation.”
Khaleda was declared dead on Tuesday after undergoing treatment for 40 days at Dhaka’s Evercare Hospital. She was 79.
Remembering his mother, Tarique said the emptiness left by her death could not be expressed in words, but the presence of people from all walks of life eased his grief.
“The weight of her absence is immeasurable, but your presence, the Bangladeshi people's, has made this profound moment feel less alone,” he said.
He thanked diplomats and countries that sent condolences, noting that senior representatives from South Asian countries, as well as foreign diplomats and development partners, personally paid their respects.
“Your gestures of condolence have touched our hearts profoundly,” he said.
After Ziaur Rahman was assassinated in a failed military coup, Khaleda took charge of the BNP, despite having no prior political background.
In 1983, she led the formation of a seven-party alliance to launch the anti-Ershad movement.
While other major parties later reached agreements with the Ershad government, the BNP refused to compromise under her leadership, earning her the reputation of being an “uncompromising leader”.
Khaleda led the BNP for 41 years. She was a five-time member of parliament, served three terms as prime minister, and twice held the post of leader of the opposition.
Reflecting on his role now, Tarique said he felt the weight of carrying forward his mother’s legacy.
“My mother devoted her life to serving others, day after day, with relentless dedication. I feel the weight of that legacy, and I promise to honour it with humility and commitment. Where her journey paused, I will strive to continue her work to the people whose faith and love sustained her until her last breath.” he wrote.
He ended his post with a prayer: “May Allah grant her eternal peace, and may we find strength in the devotion she shared with us all.”