Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus today joined the Namaz-e-Janaza of three-time former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia at Manik Mia Avenue this afternoon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a number of foreign dignitaries arrived in Dhaka to participate in the funeral of Begum Zia. Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury, advisers of the interim government, senior civil and military officers, foreign diplomats, Khaleda Zia's family members, and relatives, as well as hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life including leaders of different political parties, participated in the janaza.
The Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban bore witness to an unprecedented outpouring of grief as millions of mourners from across the nation converged on Manik Mia Avenue to pay their final respects to Begum Zia. From Tuesday night, all major roads leading to the avenue were crowded as people traveled from every corner of the country by buses, trains, launches, and metro services. Scenes of deep sorrow were evident, with thousands of mourners weeping openly.
The influx of BNP leaders and supporters into the capital intensified following the news of Begum Zia's death. Continuous streams of people arrived from different regions, and authorities struggled to manage the massive crowd as the capital became the focal point of national mourning.
Despite the severe cold, leaders, activists, and ordinary citizens began gathering at Manik Mia Avenue and surrounding areas from late Tuesday night. By early Wednesday morning, the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban complex, nearby roads, and pavements were filled to capacity, with many spending the night outdoors to secure a place near the funeral venue.
Earlier, the body of Khaleda Zia was brought to the premises of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban around 11:50 am for her namaj-e-janaza from her son Tarique Rahman's Gulshan residence with state protocol and foolproof security. A motorcade carried her body from her son Tarique Rahman's Gulshan residence next to her own residence, Firoza, around 11 am. Family members and relatives paid their last tributes at the residence, with Tarique Rahman reciting from the Holy Quran beside his mother's coffin.
Earlier in the day, her body was taken to the residence at around 9:15 am from Evercare Hospital. Begum Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman's grave, with state honors, while the general public will not be allowed during the burial as there will be an elaborate state funeral ceremony.
Begum Khaleda Zia, the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, passed away at 6 am on Tuesday at the age of 80 while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. A three-day state mourning and a one-day general holiday, as declared by the government, are being observed today across the country in her honor.