For Barrister Zaima Rahman, Sunday marked a milestone. Speaking at a policy dialogue titled ‘Women Shaping the Nation: Policy, Possibility and the Future of Bangladesh’ organised by Dhaka Forum at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka, she called on everyone to contribute sincerely to society and the country, no matter how small their role.
It was her very first policy-level address in Bangladesh – a country she had been away from for a long time.
After 17 years away from her homeland, Zaima, daughter of BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman and granddaughter of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and late President Ziaur Rahman, stepped into Bangladesh on December 25. She did not return just to her homeland, but to a legacy.
“I do not have answers to every question or solutions to all problems,” Zaima said, her voice carrying both resolve and reflection. “Yet each of us, in our own way, can act sincerely to contribute to society and the country.”
The discussion drew a mix of voices from across the political spectrum, and BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury attended as the chief guest. Zaima highlighted the strength of democracy in dialogue across differences.
“We are not all the same, and our experiences and perspectives differ. Yet here we sit together, listening and speaking, because we all care for the country and its people. That is the true beauty of democracy,” she said.
For Zaima, the moment was deeply personal. “I stand here with a different feeling today,” she admitted. “This is my first policy-level speech in Bangladesh, and it is both humbling and inspiring.”
After nearly two decades of exile in London, her return is more than symbolic; it signals the beginning of a new chapter in her public life.
Zaima’s words carried a call to action beyond politics. They were about responsibility, integrity, and the power of individual contribution. Her message to the nation was clear: change does not only come from grand gestures or leadership positions, but from the sincerity of ordinary citizens working for the common good.
In a country navigating political turbulence, Zaima Rahman’s return and her first public address mark a moment of hope and engagement, a reminder that the future depends not only on leaders but on every citizen willing to serve with honesty and purpose.