C T Online Desk: Jan 04, 2026- Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia was laid to eternal rest beside the grave of the BNP founder Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in the city on December 31, 2025.
While public access was restricted that day, it was opened to all the following day. Since then, the former prime minister has been remembered with love and reverence by thousands of ordinary people, along with party leaders and activists.
Even today, on the fifth day since the burial, a large crowd of people is seen to pay their respects at Khaleda Zia’s grave.
A visit to the gravesite revealed that leaders and activists of the BNP and its associated bodies are arriving in queues from various parts of the capital Dhaka, as well as from different districts and upazilas across the country.
Besides party members, people from all walks of life, including school and college students, are coming to the gravesite with flowers to pay respect to their beloved leader. The grave’s pedestal is covered with flowers. Some stand with their heads bowed for a long time, while others are immersed in prayer with their eyes closed.
On one side of the mausoleum, several people can be seen reciting the Holy Quran.
Earlier in the morning, various units including the Dhaka University White Panel, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University White Panel, Islamic Arabic University, the Central Committee of Shaheed Zia Memorial Association and Dhaka Mohanagar Committee, and the Sherpur District Ulama Dal paid their respects.
After paying homage, the convener of the DU White Panel Professor Morshed Hasan Khan told the media, “Deshnetri Begum Khaleda Zia has left us orphaned. We pray for the forgiveness of her soul. May Allah grant her Jannah.”
When asked about the BNP’s future leadership, he said, “Begum Khaleda Zia harbored no malice or hatred. She never behaved badly with anyone. Similarly, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman also harbors no kind of malice or hatred.
He (Tareque Rahman) is engaging in discussions with everyone. He is thinking of running the country by including everyone. I hope he will unite everyone like the national leader and steer the country correctly.”
Meanwhile, 55-year-old Shahbuddin, whose granddaughter is admitted to Suhrawardy Medical Hospital, has come with his wife to visit Khaleda Zia’s grave.
Shahbuddin said, “I have prayed for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia in my own way.”
Maniruzzaman Howlader came from Sarankhola, Bagerhat to pay his respects. “I fell ill after the Janaza (funeral prayer) and couldn’t come for that reason. Today, feeling a bit better and unable to contain my emotions, I have come to visit the grave of national leader Begum Khaleda Zia,” he added.
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday (December 30) at 6:00 AM while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
On December 31 last year (Wednesday), the former Prime Minister was buried with full state honors next to the grave of her husband, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in the city.
Her son Tarique Rahman buried his mother in the grave with family members. Before the burial, the armed forces presented a ‘Guard of Honor’ to the deceased.
Prior to this, Khaleda Zia’s historic funeral prayer was held in a large area adjacent to the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building and Manik Miah Avenue.
