BNP Announces 7-Day Mourning for Khaleda Zia; Black Flags to Fly at All Party Offices

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has declared a seven-day mourning programme following the death of its Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. During this period, black flags will be hoisted at all party offices across the country, and leaders and activists will wear black badges. Several other programmes have also been announced.

The mourning programme was declared by BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi during a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan office this Tuesday morning (30 December), shortly after confirming Khaleda Zia’s passing at Evercare Hospital at 6:00 am.

Earlier, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir informed journalists that decisions regarding Begum Khaleda Zia’s burial and state honours would be taken in coordination with the government.

Seven-Day Mourning Programmes

Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the immediate programmes on behalf of the party. He said BNP will observe seven days of mourning for the party’s beloved leader. The programmes include:

• Black Flags to Fly: Black flags will be hoisted at the party’s central office in Nayapaltan and all party offices across the country for the next seven days.
• Black Badges: Leaders and activists at all levels will wear black badges throughout the seven-day mourning period.
• Quran Khatam and Dua Mahfil: Quran recitation and special dua mahfils will be held every day at all party offices for the forgiveness of the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia.
• Condolence Books: Condolence books will be opened at the Chairperson’s Gulshan office and the central party office in Nayapaltan. Condolence books will also be kept at district-level party offices, where leaders of various political parties and dignitaries will write messages and sign.

Rizvi said the schedule for Begum Khaleda Zia’s funeral and burial will be announced later.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir informed the press conference that Chief Adviser of the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus had called after receiving the news of Khaleda Zia’s death. He added that a special cabinet meeting has been called at 10:30 am, where decisions regarding her burial and state honours will be taken.

Mirza Fakhrul said BNP will take further steps in coordination with the government’s programmes. A meeting of the party’s Standing Committee is scheduled for 12:30 pm today, where more detailed programmes will be adopted.