People from all walks of life and various organisations, including Dhaka University teachers of the White Panel, Bangladesh Open University (BOU) and the Ex-Forces Association, paid tributes to former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia by visiting her grave on Sunday.

As in previous days, a large number of people, including BNP leaders and activists, began gathering at Zia Udyan in the capital from the morning to offer fateha and pray for the eternal peace of Khaleda’s departed soul.

Some mourners were seen offering prayers with tears in their eyes, expressing deep love and respect for the former prime minister, who passed away on December 30.

Teachers of Dhaka University’s White Panel, a pro-BNP teachers’ association, paid floral tributes to former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia by placing wreaths on their graves.

The teachers visited Zia Udyan in the morning, where they also offered fateha and prayed for the departed souls of both leaders.

A munajat was conducted by ABM Siddiqur Rahman Nizami, a professor of the Arabic Department of Dhaka University.

Talking to reporters, white Panel Convener Morshed Hasan Khan said Khaleda Zia had left the nation without its guardian. “We pray for the forgiveness of her departed soul. May Allah grant her Jannah,” he said.

Morshed said Khaleda Zia was free from hatred and malice and never behaved badly with anyone.

“Similarly, Tarique Rahman also has no hatred or malice. He is holding talks with everyone and thinking about running the country together with all. We hope he will unite everyone and lead the country in the right direction,” he viewed.

White Panel Joint Conveners Abdus Salam and Abul Kalam Sarkar, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Siddiqur Rahman Khan, Vice-Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University Prof ABM Obaidul Islam, and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of National University Lutfor Rahman, among others, were present.

Later in the afternoon, the BOU authorities paid tributes to Khaleda Zia by placing a wreath on her grave. They also offered fateha and munajat seeking eternal peace for the departed souls of Khaleda and Ziaur Rahman.

BOU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, Treasurer Prof Dr Shamim Ahammed, along with teachers, officers and staff of the university, were present at the programme.

The Ex-Forces Association also paid tribute to Khaleda Zia at noon by placing floral wreaths on her grave and offering fateha at the mausoleum of late President Ziaur Rahman at Zia Udyan.

President of the Ex-Forces Association, retired Lieutenant Saifullah Khan Saif, along with other leaders of the organisation, attended the programme.