The question of who would lead the state funeral prayer (Janaza) for former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has been finalised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in consultation with the caretaker government. The Janaza will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, 31 December, at 2:00 pm in the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building. Mufti Abdul Malek, the Khatib of the national mosque Baitul Mukarram, will conduct the funeral prayer.
The announcement was made by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir following a meeting of the party’s Standing Committee in Gulshan on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting, presided over by BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, reviewed all arrangements for Khaleda Zia’s final farewell.
According to Mirza Fakhrul, after the Janaza, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her late husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka. The caretaker government has decided to ensure that the funeral and burial are conducted with full state honours, as a mark of respect for the lifelong democratic struggle of the former Prime Minister.
Mirza Fakhrul also urged party members and supporters to maintain patience and discipline during the Janaza and burial proceedings. “The void left by Begum Khaleda Zia’s passing cannot be filled. We must transform this grief into strength and move forward,” he said. The entire funeral programme will be coordinated by Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.
Preparations have already begun around the Parliament premises and Manik Mia Avenue, with the caretaker government intensifying administrative and security measures to ensure a smooth and dignified farewell. Party leaders anticipate that hundreds of thousands of citizens may gather to pay their last respects.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | Wednesday, 31 December 2025 |
| Time | 2:00 pm |
| Venue | South Plaza, National Parliament Building, Dhaka |
| Janaza Imam | Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram |
| Burial Site | Beside President Ziaur Rahman, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar |
| Funeral Coordinator | Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP Standing Committee Member |
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away early Tuesday at 6:00 am while receiving treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. She was 80 years old. Her death has drawn expressions of profound grief from across the political spectrum, including from Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. The BNP has declared a seven-day mourning period in her honour.