United News of Bangladesh

Hundreds of thousands of people on Wednesday offered prayers at Manik Mia Avenue as the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was held, bidding her a final farewell amid waves of grief. Renowned Islamic scholar and Baitul Mukarrom Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek led the namaz-e-janaza at 3:02pm Dhaka stands still as Khaleda’s coffin being taken to Manik Mia Avenue  Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, interim government advisers, BNP leaders, leaders of other political parties, and the chiefs of the three services joined the janaza. Foreign dignitaries, including representatives from India, Pakistan, and other South and Southeast Asian countries, were also present. Khaleda Zia’s body was taken to a temporary stage set up at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad around 2:45pm. Later, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a brief life sketch of Khaleda Zia on behalf of the party. Khaleda Zia’s body taken to Tarique Rahman’s Gulshan residence He explained the circumstances that led her to enter politics and highlighted her long struggle for democracy, her unwavering commitment to democratic values and her deep patriotism. He also recalled her contributions to the country and urged everyone to pray for her departed soul. At around 2:58pm, BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman delivered a short address to the gathering, requesting people to forgive his mother if she had hurt anyone, knowingly or unknowingly, at any time in her life. He said if Khaleda Zia owed anything to anyone, they should inform him and he would make arrangements to repay it. People from across the country thronged Manik Mia Avenue, Khamar Bari, Bijoy Sarani, Asad Gate, Karwan Bazar and surrounding areas. Around 11:50 am, a freezer-van draped in the red-and-green national flag, carrying Khaleda Zia’s body, arrived at the avenue from the Gulshan Avenue residence of her elder son, Tarique Rahman. A multi-layered security arrangement was in place around Manik Mia Avenue to maintain law and order as thousands of mourners gathered. Members of the army, police, RAB, BGB, and other law enforcement agencies remained deployed throughout the event. After the janaza, she will be laid to rest beside her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, where a grave has been prepared next to his. Despite the biting winter cold, people from across the country arrived in the capital from early morning to attend the janaza and pay their respects. Crowds were also seen overnight near the National Parliament area, Evercare Hospital, the Gulshan office, and Firoza. Khaleda Zia, a three-time Prime Minister, passed away at Evercare Hospital at around 6:00 am on Tuesday (December 30) after receiving treatment for more than a month.  

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia will be laid to rest beside her husband and late President Ziaur Rahman at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the capital, following her namaz-e-janaza at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday afternoon (December 31, 2025). “We, the Standing Committee, have decided that her Janaza will be held tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2:00 pm at the field of the South Plaza of the Parliament House and across the entire area of Manik Mia Avenue,” said BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir. Speaking to reporters after a meeting of the BNP Standing Committee at the Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Tuesday, he also said the Khatib of the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque will lead the Janaza. Read more: Preparations underway at Manik Mia Avenue for Khaleda Zia’s funeral Fakhrul said BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan will conduct the Janaza proceedings. Following the Janaza, he said, Khaleda Zia will be buried beside the grave of Ziaur Rahman, Bangladesh’s proclaimer of independence, and introducer of multi-party democracy, popularly known as ‘Rakhal Raja’. Fakhrul urged all those intending to join the janaza to maintain strict discipline during the janaza and burial, requesting that no one disrupt the ceremony or move forward for photographs, and emphasised the importance of showing respect and preserving the solemnity of the occasion. He also called for prayers to the Almighty Allah for Khaleda Zia’s soul, seeking that she be granted a place in Jannah. The BNP leader also urged all to pray that Allah gives the Zia family, especially her eldest son and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, the strength to fulfill the responsibilities for the country and bear this grief. Read more: Condolences pour in for Khaleda Zia as nation mourns Fakhrul said the government has already declared three days of mourning, with tomorrow announced as a holiday. “You also know that the Prime Adviser has spoken to the nation, and we thank the government for their full cooperation.” Besides, he said, BNP has declared seven days of mourning. “During these seven days, we will wear black badges and raise black flags. Prayers and Quran recitations will be held at all party offices.” Earlier, the BNP Standing Committee held a meeting at the Chairperson’s Gulshan office, chaired by Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman. After being under medical treatment for over a month, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia passed away at Evercare Hospital at 6 am on Tuesday. Read more: Curtain falls on a political giant as Khaleda Zia passes into history

BNP will organise a nationwide ‘Victory Torch Roadshow’ along with a ‘grand  rally’ on December 16 at Manik Mia Avenue in the capital to mark the Month of Victory. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir made the announcement at a press conference at the Party Chairperson’s Gulshan office on Saturday (November 29). He said the month-long events will include the torch roadshow and discussion meetings from December 1 to 16. “In March 1971, Major Ziaur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s independence from the Kalurghat Radio Station in Chattogram. Kalurghat is an inseparable part of our Liberation War. This year, BNP’s Victory Month celebrations will begin from the historic Kalurghat Radio Station,” Fakhrul said. Read more: BNP urges supporters not to crowd hospital, requests prayers for Khaleda On December 1, he said the Victory Torch Roadshow will start from the Kalurghat Radio Station and reach Biplob Udyan in Chattogram. The BNP leader said the torch will be carried by a distinguished freedom fighter from 1971 and a warrior of July, 2024 mass uprising. “We believe that the 1971 Liberation War was to achieve the country’s independence, and the mass uprising in 2024 was to protect the freedom of the country and its people,” he observed. The BNP secretary general said that after Chittagong, ‘Victory Torch Roadshow’ and rallies will be held in Cumilla, Sylhet, Mymensingh, Bogura, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, and Faridpur gradually. “In each division, the torch will be carried by a prominent 1971 freedom fighter and a 2024 warrior.” During the special Victory Torch Roadshow’ over the two weeks, Fakhrul said celebration will also include visits to historic liberation war sites in various divisions, performances of the national anthem, liberation songs, patriotic songs, speeches by the late President Ziaur Rahman, Mother of Democracy Begum Khaleda Zia, and BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, as well as cultural programmes and documentary screenings presented by Jasas. Read more: BNP unveils six-day ‘country-building plan’ “The programme will also showcase BNP’s 31-point outline for building a safe, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh. The party’s theme song ‘Shobar Age Bangladesh’ will be played during the roadshow. After touring all divisions, the Victory Torch Roadshow will arrive in Dhaka on December 16 and conclude with a mega rally at Manik Mia Avenue,” he said.

A much talked about new political organisation styled ‘National Citizens' Party (NCP),’ is set to be officially launched Friday afternoon at a rally in Dhaka, in the spirit of the July-August uprising. Preparations for the stage began on Thursday afternoon at Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka with the final touches were still going on Friday morning. The formal announcement of the party, formed by the National Citizens' Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, is scheduled to be held at 3pm at the designated venue. Ahead of the event, an extensive setup was underway on the streets and sidewalks in front of the Parliament Complex. This morning, workers were seen working on the stage. A medical team will be present at the event along with a continuous water supply and special security arrangements for women. President accepts Nahid’s resignation letter Organisers expect a gathering of over five lakh people at the venue. They obtained permission from Dhaka Metropolitan Police and a three-tier security system will be in place. High profile political figures including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir were invited to attend the official launching ceremony, said the organisers. Sources said that leadership for the positions of Senior Joint Convener and Senior Joint Member Secretary remains undecided due to multiple candidates vying for the roles. Resigned to fulfill promises of popular uprising: Nahid Meanwhile, Nahid Islam, a prominent figure in July movement, has recently resigned as adviser of the interim government to take charge of the new political party.

A public concert will be arranged at the capital’s Manik Mia Avenue on December 16 (next Monday) on the occasion of the Great Victory Day 2024. An newly formed organization named ‘Sobar Aga Bangladesh’ (Bangladesh before all) is going to organise this concert, said its convener, BNP leader Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee at a press conference here in the city on Tuesday. "People of Bangladesh have not been able to celebrate the Victory Day for the past 15 to 16 years. They had to face various repression and injustices unleashed by the fascist Awami League government. So an initiative has been taken to celebrate Victory Day this time by uniting the nation (with this concert)," he said. “This concert will be held on December 16 from 3pm at Manik Mia Avenue," said Anee, a renowned former student leader. EU Mission in Dhaka launches publication capturing protests, aspirations for a ‘New Bangladesh’ Noted singers Syed Abdul Hadi, Khurshid Alam, Kanak Chapa, Baby Naznin, Monir Khan, Kona, Imran, Pritom, Mousumi and Xefer have been initially confirmed as performers. More conformations are expected in the coming days, with names like Nagar Baul (James), Different Touch, Ark, Souls, Shironamhin, Artcell, AvoidRafa, and Sonar Bangla Circus being mentioned at the concert and in talks with the organisers.  

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on Sunday conducted a drive against illegal food stands, installations, and parking on the Manik Mia Avenue bicycle lane.