Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia passes away, PM Modi expressed condolences

Dhaka. The Namaz-e-Janaza of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) President Khaleda Zia will be held tomorrow. He died on Tuesday morning at Evercare Hospital in the capital. Chief Advisor Prof. Mohammad Yunus, in his afternoon address to the nation, announced three days of state mourning from tomorrow on the death of Begum Khaleda Zia. He also declared a general holiday tomorrow on the day of his Namaz-e-Janaza. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed condolences on the demise of Khaleda Zia.

“I declare three days of state mourning on the demise of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and a one-day public holiday tomorrow on the day of her Namaz-e-Janaza,” he said in a televised address broadcast simultaneously on Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar at 12 noon, Bangladesh news portal BSS and The Daily Star reported. The Chief Advisor urged everyone to maintain discipline and order during the funeral and mourning.

Pro. Yunus said, ‘I know you all are very sad at this time. I hope you will show patience in this time of mourning and cooperate with all concerned involved in completing all the formalities including his Namaz-e-Janaza. He said, ‘May Almighty Allah give us patience, strength and the ability to remain united.’

Earlier, Chief Advisor at State Guest House Jamuna, Prof. A special meeting of the Advisory Council was held under the chairmanship of Mohammad Yunus. In the meeting, prayers were offered for the peace of the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia. In the meeting, it was decided to declare three days of state mourning from tomorrow and keep one day holiday tomorrow.

The national flag will fly at half-mast in all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, all public and private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad across the country during the state mourning. Tomorrow, special prayers and blessings will be offered in every mosque of the country for the peace of his departed soul. Special prayers will also be held at places of worship of other religions.

BNP General Secretary Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir also attended the meeting. On behalf of the family and the party, he expressed gratitude to the interim government and thanked the Chief Advisor for providing all necessary help including security to Khaleda Zia. He said that Begum’s funeral prayers will be held in the South Plaza of Parliament after Johar prayers tomorrow. He will be buried next to the grave of late President Zia-ur-Rehman. Preparations are underway to bury Khaleda Zia next to her husband, late President Zia-ur-Rehman, at Zia Garden in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

President Mohammad Shahabuddin has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the demise of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. In the condolence message, the President said, ‘Her unwavering role in establishing democracy and people’s rights will be remembered in the political history of Bangladesh.’ Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has expressed condolences on the demise of former Prime Minister of Bangladesh and President of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Begum Khaleda Zia. He called it an irreparable loss for Bangladesh. The Prime Minister said that he is extremely saddened by the news of his demise.

Expressing deep condolences to her family and the people of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Modi said that he will always remember his meeting with Begum Khaleda Zia in Dhaka in 2015. He expressed hope that the legacy and vision of Begum Khaleda Zia will continue to guide further cooperation and partnership between the two countries. The Prime Minister wished for peace of the departed soul.