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Published : 31 Dec 2025, 01:49 PM
A sea of mourners have packed Manik Mia Avenue to bid farewell to Khaleda Zia, a colossus of the country’s political life, amid tears and tributes.
The former prime minister's funeral prayers were held at 3:02pm on Wednesday in front of the National Parliament building.
People filled not only the inner and outer grounds of the Parliament complex and the length of Manik Mia Avenue, but also surrounding roads, side streets and alleys, as the turnout extended far beyond the main venue. Special arrangements were made to facilitate the participation of women in the funeral prayers.
The prayers were led by Abdul Malek, the khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, while the proceedings were conducted by BNP standing committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.
Mourners packed the avenue and nearby areas, with BNP leaders and supporters wearing black clothing or black badges. Many carried party flags and portraits of Bangladesh’s first female prime minister.
The turnout continued to grow through the afternoon as people filled open grounds behind the Aarong complex, including the Lalmatia playground, as well as surrounding fields. Crowds spread across the area in long rows, spilling well beyond Manik Mia Avenue and stretching along Mirpur Road.
The vehicle carrying Khaleda's coffin arrived at the venue at 2:25pm. Her elder son and BNP Acting Chairperson Tarique Rahman arrived at 2:41pm.
On arrival, Tarique first embraced the Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. Four minutes later, at 2:45pm, the national flag-draped coffin was brought forward and placed on a stage set up at the western end of Manik Mia Avenue for the funeral prayers.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Tarique addressed mourners from the stage at 2:58pm, delivering a brief one-minute statement. In customary remarks ahead of the service, he said any debts owed by his mother would be settled and sought forgiveness on her behalf for anything she may have said or done that caused hurt.
Earlier, Chief Advisor Yunus entered the venue at 2:19pm. Also in attendance were the newly appointed Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury and the chiefs of Bangladesh’s three Armed Forces.
Several foreign dignitaries attended to pay their respects, including India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Pakistan’s National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq was also present, along with foreign ministers from Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Senior representatives from other countries, including Malaysia and Qatar, also attended, alongside heads of diplomatic missions from China, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Political leaders from across the spectrum were also present, including National Citizen Party Convenor Nahid Islam and Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman.
Khaleda, a three-time prime minister and one of the most influential figures in Bangladesh’s modern political history, died early on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
Her death prompted three days of state mourning, with Wednesday declared a public holiday.
Earlier on Wednesday, her coffin was taken from Evercare Hospital to the Gulshan residence of her elder son before being brought to the area outside the Parliament complex shortly before midday. Family members travelled as part of the motorcade.
The same location hosted the funeral prayers of her husband, BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman, in June 1981.
Khaleda will be buried with full state honours beside her husband’s grave at Zia Udyan around 3:30pm.
