Final Rites Underway as Khaleda Zia Is Prepared for Burial Beside Her Late Husband

Following the conclusion of her funeral prayers, preparations are now underway for the burial of Begum Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), beside the grave of her late husband, former President Ziaur Rahman. The burial is being carried out with full state honours amid strict security and solemn observance.

The Janazah (funeral prayer) for Begum Khaleda Zia was held on Wednesday afternoon at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka, where an unprecedented number of mourners gathered to bid farewell to one of the most influential political figures in the country’s history. The prayers commenced at 3:03 p.m. and concluded at 3:05 p.m., marking a brief yet deeply moving moment of collective grief.

The Janazah was led by Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek, Khatib of the National Mosque, Baitul Mukarram. Long before the scheduled time, the entire Manik Mia Avenue area—along with adjoining neighbourhoods such as Bijoy Sarani, Khamarbari, Karwan Bazar, Farmgate, Shahbagh, and Mohammadpur—had become densely packed with mourners. Many stood for hours under the open sky, determined to be part of the historic farewell.

Earlier, Begum Khaleda Zia’s elder son and BNP’s Acting Chairman, Tarique Rahman, arrived at the funeral ground and appealed to the public to pray for his mother. Addressing the vast gathering, he said, “Please pray for her. May Almighty Allah grant her eternal peace in Jannah.” His appeal resonated deeply with those present, many of whom were visibly emotional.

The mortal remains of Begum Khaleda Zia, draped in the national flag, arrived at Manik Mia Avenue shortly after 12:00 noon in a specially designated vehicle. BNP leaders confirmed via their verified social media platforms that the inner and outer premises of the National Parliament complex, along with the full stretch of Manik Mia Avenue, had been prepared to accommodate the massive turnout.

Among the distinguished attendees were Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, National Citizen Party Convener Nahid Islam, and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman. Senior BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan addressed the gathering, reflecting on Khaleda Zia’s political legacy, resilience, and long public service.

The occasion also drew expressions of international condolence. Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq met Tarique Rahman to convey sympathy, while India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar formally handed over a condolence message from the Indian government earlier in the day at the Parliament complex.

Following the Janazah, arrangements began for Begum Khaleda Zia’s burial at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, beside the grave of her late husband. Authorities confirmed that access to the burial site would be restricted to designated individuals only, and public movement in the area would remain limited until the burial proceedings are fully completed.

Key Information at a Glance :