Chief Adviser Joins Historic Namaz-e-Janaza of Begum Khaleda Zia Amid Millions of Mourners
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today joined the namaz-e-janaza of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Manik Mia Avenue this afternoon.
A number of foreign dignitaries who arrived in Dhaka to attend the funeral also participated in the janaza.
Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, advisers of the interim government, senior civil and military officers, foreign diplomats, Khaleda Zia’s family members and relatives, as well as hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life — including leaders of different political parties — took part in the massive funeral prayer.
The Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex witnessed an unprecedented outpouring of grief today as millions of mourners from across Bangladesh converged on Manik Mia Avenue to pay their final tributes to Begum Zia.
From Tuesday night, all major roads leading to Manik Mia Avenue were crowded as people travelled from every corner of the country by buses, trains, launches, metro rail, and other means of transport. Scenes of deep sorrow were visible everywhere, with thousands of mourners weeping openly.
The influx of BNP leaders and supporters in the capital intensified after news of Begum Zia’s death spread. Continuous streams of people arrived from different regions of the country. Authorities struggled to manage the massive crowd as the capital became the focal point of national mourning.
Despite severe cold, leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens began gathering at Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas since late Tuesday night. By early Wednesday morning, the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex, nearby roads, and pavements were filled to capacity. Many spent the night outdoors to secure a place near the funeral venue.
Earlier, the body of Khaleda Zia was brought to the premises of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban around 11:50 am for her namaz-e-janaza from her son Tarique Rahman’s Gulshan residence with full state protocol amid foolproof security.
A motorcade carrying her body left her son Tarique Rahman’s Gulshan residence (next to her own residence Firoza) around 11:00 am.
Family members and relatives paid their last tributes to her at the residence. Tarique Rahman recited from the Holy Quran while sitting beside the coffin containing the body of his mother.
Other family members also recited the Holy Quran and offered prayers for the eternal peace of the departed soul.
Earlier, her body was taken to the residence around 09:15 am from Evercare Hospital.
Begum Zia will be laid to eternal rest beside her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, in the city with full state honours. Due to the elaborate state funeral ceremony, the general public will not be allowed during the burial.
Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister, breathed her last at 6:00 am on Tuesday at the age of 80 while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in the city.
A three-day state mourning and one-day general holiday, as declared by the government, are being observed today across the country following the death of the former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
