After remaining closed to the public for a day, the mausoleum of late president Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar was opened on Wednesday noon, allowing leaders, activists and supporters to pay tribute to BNP chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia.
Carrying flowers and wreaths, party leaders and activists visited the grave of their beloved leader, offering prayers and seeking eternal peace for her departed soul.
Begum Khaleda Zia was laid to rest with full state honours on Tuesday afternoon beside the grave of her husband, president Ziaur Rahman.
On the first day of the English New Year, supporters began gathering from early morning at the Bijoy Sarani road junction, creating heavy crowds along the stretch. Although Bijoy Sarani was opened to traffic around 9am, security personnel did not allow public entry to the mausoleum premises due to heightened security.
The mausoleum was finally opened to the public at around 12pm, enabling party leaders and supporters to perform ziarat.
Earlier in the morning, former state minister for home affairs Lutfuzzaman Babar visited the grave amid strict security. BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince was also seen offering prayers while standing outside the security cordon.
Speaking to journalists after paying respects, Babar said: “Our leader upheld the ideals of Ziaur Rahman and emerged as a living symbol of the struggle to protect the country’s independence and sovereignty. Those ideals are now being carried forward by our leader Tarique Rahman.”
He added: “I request everyone to pray for our leader so that Allah grants her the highest place in Jannah.”
After the mausoleum was opened to the public, a steady stream of supporters poured into the premises. Men and women of all ages, including children and school students- were seen visiting the grave, standing silently in prayer, reciting Durood Sharif, and paying their final respects. Several mourners were visibly overwhelmed with emotion, breaking down in tears.
Sultan Mahmud, a Jubo Dal activist from Kurigram, said: “As long as Bangladesh exists, Begum Khaleda Zia will never be forgotten. Generations will remember her for sacrificing everything to keep the flag of democracy flying.”
He added that he had attended her funeral prayers on Tuesday and had been waiting to visit her grave. “Today I finally got the chance. I thank Allah for that.”
Saiful Alam, a BNP activist from Badda, recalled how often Khaleda Zia herself visited the grave of BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
“Today she is no longer with us. We are visiting her grave instead. Just thinking about it breaks my heart,” he said, adding that he prayed for her eternal peace.
Aminul Islam from Nilphamari said: “I have seen her since my student politics days, coming here with party leaders to pay respects to the martyred president. Today she is gone. BNP feels orphaned.”
However, he said the massive turnout at her funeral gave them strength and confidence that BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman would continue to uphold the banner of nationalism.
Lutfuzzaman Babar further said: “I couldn’t stay at home this morning. I came to visit our leader’s grave. Though she has departed, her ideals will remain our guiding force.”
Throughout the day, supporters continued to arrive at the Bijoy Sarani area to perform ziarat. Some were seen standing beside the grave reciting the Holy Quran.
Although most entry points to the mausoleum remained closed, access was allowed through the Cricket Lake route. Members of the armed forces and other law enforcement agencies were deployed to ensure security.
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Her funeral prayers were held on Tuesday at Manik Mia Avenue.
