Bangladesh bid a final farewell to former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, who was laid to rest with full state honours following her funeral prayers in Dhaka.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered at Manik Mia Avenue and the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to attend the namaz-e-janaza of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and a towering figure in the country’s politics. She passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. India was represented at the funeral by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, underscoring New Delhi’s engagement with Dhaka at a moment of national mourning. Dr Jaishankar attended the funeral prayers and conveyed India’s condolences to her son and BNP’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, reflecting respect for Khaleda Zia’s role in Bangladesh’s political history. Representatives from several other South and Southeast Asian countries were also present. The funeral was attended by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, members of the interim government, BNP leaders, leaders of other political parties, and the chiefs of Bangladesh’s three armed services. Khaleda Zia’s body was brought to the parliament complex with full state protocol before the funeral prayers were held. Following the janaza, Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
Massive crowds poured into Dhaka from across the country from Tuesday night, braving cold weather to pay their final respects, as the capital became the focal point of national mourning.
Hundreds of thousands of mourners gathered at Manik Mia Avenue and the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban to attend the namaz-e-janaza of Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh’s first woman prime minister and a towering figure in the country’s politics. She passed away on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. India was represented at the funeral by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar, underscoring New Delhi’s engagement with Dhaka at a moment of national mourning. Dr Jaishankar attended the funeral prayers and conveyed India’s condolences to her son and BNP’s acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, reflecting respect for Khaleda Zia’s role in Bangladesh’s political history. Representatives from several other South and Southeast Asian countries were also present. The funeral was attended by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, members of the interim government, BNP leaders, leaders of other political parties, and the chiefs of Bangladesh’s three armed services. Khaleda Zia’s body was brought to the parliament complex with full state protocol before the funeral prayers were held. Following the janaza, Khaleda Zia was laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital.
Massive crowds poured into Dhaka from across the country from Tuesday night, braving cold weather to pay their final respects, as the capital became the focal point of national mourning.
