State mourning for Khaleda Zia enters second day

A three-day state mourning entered its second day on Thursday following the death of BNP Chairperson and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia.

As part of the state mourning program, the national flag is being flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, public and private buildings across Bangladesh, as well as at Bangladeshi missions abroad.

In the morning, it was observed at the Secretariat that the national flag was flying at half-mast at the new building number 1, which houses the Cabinet Division and the Ministry of Public Administration. Some officials were also seen wearing black badges. Regular activities at the Secretariat, however, are continuing as usual.

Special prayers will be offered in all mosques across Bangladesh on Friday, seeking forgiveness for the departed soul of the former Prime Minister. Prayers will also be held at other religious institutions for the peace of her soul.

Khaleda Zia passed away on Tuesday (December 30) morning after receiving treatment for 37 days at Evercare Hospital. She had been admitted to the hospital in the capital on November 23.

She was laid to rest beside the grave of her husband, former President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, on Wednesday. Earlier, her funeral prayers were held at 3:05 pm at Manik Mia Avenue, Dhaka, attended by hundreds of thousands of people. A massive crowd gathered at the Parliament premises and along Manik Mia Avenue during the funeral.