The funeral prayers of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be held on Wednesday at 2:00pm in the Parliament complex area and on Manik Mia Avenue.
People from across the country have been arriving since early morning to attend the janaza and pay their final respects.
It was seen that large numbers of mourners came from districts including Noakhali, Feni, Brahmanbaria, Bhola, Bogura and Mymensingh. Many reached the venue as early as 4am, with several wearing black badges.
Nuruzzaman Mia, a man in his sixties who travelled from Feni to attend the funeral at the Parliament complex, told Dhaka Tribune that he had seen Ziaur Rahman in person and had taken part in numerous movements and struggles under Khaleda Zia’s leadership after his death. Describing her as a source of pride for Feni and the entire country, he said her leadership marked a golden era for Bangladesh and that her death is an irreparable loss.
At Manik Mia Avenue, Bhola district Jubo Dal General Secretary Abdul Qader Selim said he felt restless to attend Khaleda Zia’s funeral as soon as he heard the news of her death. He said he set out for Dhaka overnight with party leaders and activists.
Many attendees became emotional while speaking to the media, with some breaking down in tears.
Dhaka South unit Swechchhasebak Dal President Jahir Uddin Tuhin told Dhaka Tribune that Begum Khaleda Zia was an idealistic politician whose political philosophy and thinking remain instructive for the younger generation. He said she never bowed to injustice.
Recalling her life, he said Khaleda Zia devoted herself entirely to the country and its people and never considered leaving Bangladesh despite severe repression and persecution. He added that she would remain eternally remembered by the freedom-loving people of the country.
Meanwhile, the government has made special arrangements to ensure women’s participation in Khaleda Zia’s funeral. A woman attending the prayers said Khaleda Zia symbolised democracy and sovereignty, adding that her contributions to Bangladesh as a woman would be remembered in history. She said she arrived early in the morning with her eldest daughter to offer prayers.
According to BNP, the funeral prayers will be led by Mufti Abdul Malek, khatib of the national mosque Baitul Mokarram. Following the janaza, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest at 3:30pm beside the grave of her husband, late president and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
Security has been tightened around the funeral. For security reasons, members of the public are currently not being allowed to enter the area surrounding Ziaur Rahman’s grave.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said traffic on adjacent roads will be controlled during the movement of the convoy carrying Khaleda Zia.
