Braving biting winter cold and dense fog, thousands of mourners converged on Manik Mia Avenue on Wednesday to offer final prayers for former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, turning the capital into a sea of grief, remembrance and quiet reverence.
People from different parts of the country began arriving in Dhaka from the early hours of the morning to attend the namaz-e-janaza, defying severe winter conditions and thick fog.
Some mourners travelled hundreds of kilometres sitting on bus engine covers after failing to secure tickets and some others arrived despite serious physical injuries.
From Sakua Union in Panchagarh, BNP union-level joint secretary Sabuj Molla and his companion Tarek began their journey on Tuesday night. With no bus or train tickets available, they boarded a Talash Paribahan bus by sitting on the engine cover, paying double the usual fare.
They left Panchagarh around 7:30pm and reached Gabtoli at about 8:30am on Wednesday, from where they walked toward the National Parliament area.
“We came with the sole intention of joining Madam Khaleda Zia’s janaza,” Sabuj said, adding that many leaders and activists from Panchagarh district had also travelled to Dhaka.
Meanwhile, Tarek-ul-Islam from Savar attended the janaza despite having a broken leg from a recent accident.
He travelled by van up to Mazar Road in Gabtoli and walked the rest of the way using crutches.
Tarek-ul-Islam said he came out of love and respect for Khaleda Zia. He left home shortly after 9:00am and reached Gabtoli by 10:00am before continuing on foot.
The namaz-e-janaza is scheduled to be held at 2:00pm on Wednesday, to be led by the Khatib of the National Mosque, Baitul Mukarram, Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek.
From dawn, groups of mourners were seen travelling to the capital to pay their final respects.
Large crowds gathered around the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area, Manik Mia Avenue, Evercare Hospital, the BNP Gulshan office and Firoza, Khaleda Zia’s residence.
Despite the harsh weather, people stood quietly, offering prayers and remembering the three-time prime minister.
Dhaka stands still as Khaleda’s coffin being taken to Manik Mia Avenue
At present, Khaleda Zia’s body is being taken to Manik Mia Avenue from the Gulshan Avenue residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman.
Tarique Rahman, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, members of the party’s standing committee, senior leaders and close relatives are travelling with the coffin.
Earlier, the body was taken from Evercare Hospital to Tarique Rahman’s residence at around 9:16am.
Wrapped in the red and green national flag, the coffin was carried in a freezer van under tight security.
Family members, close relatives and senior party leaders paid their final respects at the Gulshan residence.
After the janaza, Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her late husband, President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.
Preparations for the burial have already been completed.
Meanwhile, the government has announced state mourning and a general holiday in honour of the former prime minister.
Tarique recites Quran, prays for Khaleda
