Bangladesh welcomes the New Year on Thursday with quiet reflection, renewed hopes, and heightened security, as people across the country usher in 2026 amid a changed political and social landscape.
This year’s New Year arrives in a sombre atmosphere following the funeral of Begum Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister, three-time former head of government, and chairperson of the BNP. Her burial with full state honours on Wednesday drew millions of mourners and marked the close of a defining chapter in the country’s political history, lending a subdued tone to New Year observances nationwide.
Despite the solemn backdrop, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus extended greetings to Bangladeshis at home and abroad on the advent of the New Year 2026, calling it a time of “new dreams, new hopes and new possibilities.”
In a message, Prof Yunus said the arrival of the New Year inspires renewed energy to overcome sorrow and move towards a better future. He noted that, in the changed context following the July mass uprising, the New Year holds particular significance for the nation.
“We hope that the journey we have started on the path of democratic transition by repairing the flawed state system will be completed in the coming year by arranging a national election and a referendum on the July Charter implementation,” he said.
The chief adviser expressed hope that the planned election and referendum would further accelerate democratic progress by resisting all conspiracies, calling this the country’s “greatest expectation in the new year.” He also urged citizens to devote their best efforts to the welfare of the people in a democratic Bangladesh founded on love for the country.
“In the new year, we will face all the challenges together and build a discrimination-free Bangladesh based on equality and justice,” Prof Yunus said, adding that bonds of harmony, friendliness, and brotherhood should be further strengthened. He wished peace, happiness, and prosperity for all.
New Year celebrations remained largely low-key in line with government advisories. Many people marked the day through family gatherings, prayers, and personal resolutions.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) said adequate security measures were in place across the capital, with checkpoints at key intersections and additional patrols in sensitive areas, including entertainment zones and diplomatic quarters.
