Former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s body has been taken from Gulshan to Manik Mia Avenue in the capital for her namaz-e-janaza, scheduled to be held around 2pm on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, thousands of people from all walks of life have gathered at the venue to pay their last respects to the Bangladesh’s first female prime minister and a lasting political icon.
The mortuary van carrying the body of Khaleda Zia was surrounded by members of the law enforcement agencies. However, security was tightened along the roads.
The vehicle, draped in the red-and-green national flag, entered the premises of the Jatiya Sangsad complex around 11:45am.
Wearing black attire and badges, and carrying flags, BNP leaders, activists as well as supporters are gathering at the venue to attend the janaza of Khaleda Zia.
Around 9am, the vehicle carrying her body left the morgue of Evercare Hospital for Gulshan. It was then taken to her son Tarique Rahman’s residence at House No. 196 on Gulshan Avenue. However, her body was initially scheduled to be taken to her Gulshan residence, Firoza, but was later taken to Tarique’s residence.
Family members and relatives paid their last respects to her ahead of the namaz-e-janaza. From there, around 11:15am, the body was taken towards Manik Mia Avenue, with the vehicle draped in the red-and-green national flag and surrounded by law enforcement personnel.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police said the vehicle carrying Khaleda Zia’s body would leave Evercare Hospital and travel via the 36 July Expressway, Kuril Flyover, and past the Navy Headquarters to reach the Gulshan residence.
The statement stated that from there, it would proceed through Gulshan-2, Kamal Ataturk Avenue, and Airport Road, use the Mohakhali Flyover, pass Jahangir Gate and Bijoy Sarani, cross the Aircraft Crossing, turn left, and head to the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. The vehicle would enter through Gate No. 6 and reach the South Plaza.
According to the pre-announced schedule, Khaleda Zia’s namaz-e-janaza will be held after Zuhr prayers around 2pm. The funeral prayer will be led by Mufti Muhammad Abdul Malek, Khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque.
She will later be buried with state honours beside the grave of former president Ziaur Rahman at Chandrima Udyan on the north side of the parliament at 3:30pm.
Khaleda Zia died around 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80. She had long been suffering from various health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, liver cirrhosis, and kidney complications.
