A day after her burial, BNP leaders, activists, and common people on Thursday visited the grave of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia to offer fateha and pay their tributes.
The entrance to Zia Udyan was opened to the public after 12 noon on Thursday, allowing people to visit the grave.
A large number of people gathered earlier in front of Zia Udyan to visit her grave, but security personnel did not allow entry at that time. The gate remained closed for the general public since the completion of her burial on Wednesday evening.
Once the entrance to the grave was opened at noon, visitors were seen offering fateha and placing flowers and wreaths at the grave as a mark of their love and respect for their beloved leader, who was laid to rest beside her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, following a historic namaz-e-janaza on Wednesday.
Former State Minister for Home Affairs Lutfozzaman Babar visited the grave in the morning amid tight security, while BNP Joint Secretary General Syed Emran Saleh Prince offered prayers standing in front of the security cordon.
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Later, speaking to reporters, Babar said Khaleda Zia upheld the ideals of Ziaur Rahman, and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman is following her principles.
He urged people to pray for her soul, saying, “May Allah grant her the best place in Jannatul Firdaus.”
Supporters from across the country, including students, children, women, and elderly citizens, visited the grave throughout the afternoon.
Some were seen weeping, while others recited prayers and offered flowers.
Asifur Rahman Biplob, a Jubo Dal leader, came from Old Dhaka to pay his respects to the late BNP Chairperson.
He praised her lifelong commitment to democracy and said future generations would remember her contributions.
Many visitors travelled from outside Dhaka, including Munshiganj resident Fatema Sharmin and Panchagarh district BNP President Jahirul Islam, who also came to pay their respects at the grave.
Security forces, including the Army, Police, and other law enforcement personnel, maintained strict arrangements at the mausoleum.
Khaleda Zia passed away early on Tuesday morning at Evercare Hospital at the age of 80.
Her Namaz-e-Janaza was held on Manik Mia Avenue on Wednesday, attended by millions, after which she was buried beside her late husband and former president Ziaur Rahman with full state honours.