DHAKA: Bangladesh is observing the second day of state mourning following the death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced a three-day state mourning beginning Wednesday. He also declared Wednesday a general holiday in a televised address to the nation.
The national flag is being flown at half-mast at government and private buildings, educational institutions, and Bangladesh missions abroad. Special prayers were held at mosques nationwide, with prayers also arranged at places of worship of other religions.
Condolence books remain open at Bangladesh missions overseas to pay tribute to the late leader.
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 80. She was buried with full state honors beside her husband, martyred President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar on Wednesday afternoon.
Before the burial, millions attended her namaz-e-janaza at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka. Foreign guests, diplomats, political leaders, and citizens from all walks of life joined the funeral prayers.
Senior national figures, including the Chief Adviser, the Chief Justice, service chiefs, advisers, and leaders of political parties, were present. Several foreign dignitaries from Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives also attended.
Begum Khaleda Zia was the country’s first female prime minister. She played a key role in restoring parliamentary democracy and introducing the caretaker government system.
She is survived by her elder son Tarique Rahman, two daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. Her younger son, Arafat Rahman Koko, died in 2015.
