BNP announces seven-day mourning for Khaleda, plans burial beside Zia

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has announced a seven-day mourning programme following the death of its chairperson and three-time prime minister Khaleda Zia.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi made the announcement at a press conference held at Evercare Hospital in the capital around 9:00am on Tuesday (December 30).

Rizvi said that during the mourning period, BNP leaders and activists across the country will wear black badges, while Quran recitation and prayer mahfils will be organised at all party offices. Condolence books will also be opened at the party’s Naya Paltan central office and Gulshan office. The schedule for the burial shroud (kafan) will be announced later, he added.

Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia passed away at 6:00am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital. She was 80.

Confirming her death, the party said Khaleda Zia breathed her last peacefully in the early hours of the morning. “Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Rajiun,” BNP leaders said in condolence.

Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed said Khaleda Zia is likely to be laid to rest beside the grave of her late husband, former president Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan, adjacent to the Parliament area, following her state funeral at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Further details regarding funeral arrangements will be announced in due course, party leaders said.