Funeral prayers in absentia (Ghaibana janaza) for former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia were held across the country on Wednesday.
In Rangpur, a funeral prayer in absentia was conducted at the Collectorate Eidgah ground at 2:30pm. Rangpur Range DIG Amirul Islam, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Majid Ali, and members of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, NCP, and Jatiya Party attended the prayer session. Maulana Hamidul Islam led the prayer.
Participants paid tribute to Khaleda Zia’s enduring legacy as a defender of democracy and her role in shaping a discrimination-free Bangladesh, describing her contributions as a model of nationalism.
In Chittagong University, an absentee funeral prayer and supplication ceremony were held at the Central Jame Mosque following Zuhr prayers. Imam Abu Dawood Muhammad Mamun led the prayer, while Vice-Chancellor Prof Muhammad Yahya Akhtar said, “Allah forgives those whom people love. Khaleda Zia is loved by the entire nation of Bangladesh.”
The event was attended by Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Prof Mohammad Shamim Uddin Khan, Acting Registrar Prof Mohammad Saiful Islam, College Inspector Prof Amir Muhammad Nasrullah, Controller of Examinations Prof Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, Proctor Prof Hossain Shahid Sarwardi, Cucsu VP Md Ibrahim Hossain Roni, GS Saeed Bin Habib, and other student representatives. A separate supplication programme organised by Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Cucsu) was also held after Asr prayers.
In Jhenaidah (Shailkupa), an absentee funeral prayer was held at Shailkupa Degree College ground, organised by the Upazila unit BNP to allow grassroots leaders and supporters to participate. Thousands attended from various sections of society. Upazila BNP President Abul Hossain said, “Many leaders traveled to Dhaka for funeral prayer of Khaleda Zia, but due to the extreme cold, many grassroots supporters could not go. This local memorial allows them to pay their respects.”
The Jhenaidah district unit BNP has also launched a seven-day mourning programme, including Quran recitation at the party office, which began on 30 December and will continue until 5 January.
District BNP Deputy Secretary Sakib Ahmed Bappy said party leaders from all upazilas are attending Khaleda Zia’s funeral in Dhaka and will return to continue district-level mourning activities.
These events across universities, districts, and local communities reflect the nationwide respect and mourning for the late leader, highlighting her enduring influence on Bangladesh’s political and social landscape.
Khaleda Zia, a three-time prime minister of Bangladesh, died at 6am on Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.
