A massive gathering took place in Dhaka on March 15, 2024, as thousands attended the funeral prayers for former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, who passed away the previous day at the age of 80 after a prolonged illness. The ceremony was held outside the national parliament building, drawing supporters from across the country.
Starting early in the morning, people began to arrive at Manik Mia Avenue. Witnesses reported that many mourners expressed their grief by referring to Zia as their “mother.” Some had traveled overnight from rural areas to participate in the prayers, while others filled the streets for several kilometers, raising their hands in prayer.
Dignitaries from neighboring countries, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, also attended the funeral. Local media indicated that representatives from 32 countries were present, demonstrating Zia’s influence both domestically and internationally. Notably, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Zia’s elder son, Tarique Rahman, delivering a personal letter from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The funeral took place with state honors, culminating in Zia’s burial beside her husband, a former president assassinated in a military coup in 1981. An honor guard of soldiers saluted as Zia’s family members observed the ceremony.
Zia’s political career began following her husband’s death, ultimately leading her to become a prominent opposition leader during a nine-year campaign against a military dictator. She first served as Prime Minister in 1991 after a significant electoral victory, marking the start of parliamentary democracy in Bangladesh. Over her career, Zia led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and maintained a fierce rivalry with her political opponent, Sheikh Hasina.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, declared a three-day mourning period in Zia’s honor and designated March 15 as a public holiday. Flags across the nation were flown at half-staff to commemorate the first female prime minister of Bangladesh, who served two full terms and a brief term in office.
Rahman, currently acting head of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, is poised to lead the party in the upcoming elections scheduled for February 2025. Meanwhile, Hasina, who has been in exile in India since August 5, 2024, was sentenced to death in November on charges related to the 2024 uprising.
The outpouring of grief and respect for Khaleda Zia reflects her significant impact on Bangladesh’s political landscape and the deep connection she forged with her supporters over her more than 40-year career.
