‘No One Has Seen Such a Janaza Before in the Country’
The namaz-e-janaza of Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and the second female head of government in the Muslim world, Begum Khaleda Zia, has concluded in an atmosphere that made even the phrase “sea of people” seem too small. Wherever the eye could see, there were only heads of mourners. Lakhs of voices were heard offering tearful prayers.
The massive human tide that overflowed Manik Mia Avenue in the capital spilled across several kilometres in every direction. From Jahangir Gate in the north, Mirpur Road in the west, and beyond Farmgate to Karwan Bazar, Banglamotor, and Moghbazar in the east, the entire area was submerged in people. Wherever the sound of the microphone reached, rows of mourners stood on the roads. Many had tears in their eyes; some silently raised their hands in dua.
From late Tuesday night, braving the severe winter cold, people had already begun gathering at Manik Mia Avenue, party offices, Evercare Hospital, and various other locations. As the day progressed on Wednesday, the crowd swelled into a vast ocean of humanity.
When the janaza began at 3:00 pm at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, the surrounding roads were virtually paralysed. The prayer venue at Manik Mia Avenue was completely filled, and the overflow extended far beyond.
Not only party leaders and workers, but people from every stratum of society, ordinary employees, students, rickshaw pullers, and more, participated in the janaza. Due to the sheer pressure of the crowd, even trees, footpaths, and rooftops of nearby buildings around the parliament complex were packed with people.
Just before the janaza, when BNP Standing Committee Member Nazrul Islam Khan delivered an emotional speech about Khaleda Zia with tears in his voice, and Tarique Rahman requested prayers for his mother, the entire area fell into pin-drop silence. The collective pain of losing the “Deshnetri” seemed to weigh heavily on the atmosphere.
Representatives from various countries were present at Begum Zia’s janaza. Diplomats and representatives from 32 countries with missions in Dhaka, including the United States, United Kingdom, China, India, Pakistan, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and others, attended. Among them were the Foreign Ministers of India, Bhutan, and Nepal, and the Speaker of Pakistan. Standing in the designated area for foreign dignitaries, they witnessed this emotional farewell moment of the Bangladeshi people.
The presence of women at Begum Zia’s janaza was particularly striking. Although entry to the main prayer area was restricted for women, thousands stood at a safe distance around the venue, bidding farewell to the country’s first female Prime Minister with tearful eyes. Many wore black badges, and sorrow shadowed their faces.
According to analysts, Begum Khaleda Zia’s janaza was not merely a religious formality. It was one of the biggest events in Bangladesh’s political history.
After years of prolonged illness, imprisonment, and countless ups and downs, this final farewell proved how a leader can remain alive in the hearts of the masses even after being out of power.
