Special prayers were offered at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka and at mosques across the country on Friday after Jum'a prayers, seeking Allah’s mercy and eternal peace for the departed soul of former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia.
Muslim worshippers and people from different walks of life joined the prayers at the national mosque, praying that she be granted a place in Jannah.
Similar special prayers were held after Jum'a prayers at mosques throughout the country.
Prayer programmes were also arranged at other religious institutions, seeking peace for the departed leader.
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman offered Juma prayers at the Bangladesh Navy Headquarters Mosque on Friday. After the prayers, he took part in a special munajat, praying for peace, prosperity and welfare of the country, the nation and the Muslim Ummah. Prayers were also offered there seeking forgiveness for Khaleda Zia.
As Friday marked the final day of the three-day state mourning declared by the government, the national flag was kept at half-mast at government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational establishments, private buildings, and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Meanwhile, BNP leaders, activists and ordinary people continued to visit the grave of Khaleda Zia at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to pay their respects and offer prayers.
From Friday morning, people gathered in groups, placing wreaths, offering fateha and reciting verses from the Holy Quran beside her grave.
Earlier in the morning, family members, including her granddaughter Zaima Rahman, visited the grave to offer prayers. Due to their visit, entry for party leaders, activists and the general public was temporarily suspended from 10:00am to 10:50am.
After the family members left, people again entered the area in groups to pay their respects.
BNP Advisory Council member Amanullah Aman, along with some former student leaders of the 1990s, visited the grave around 11:40am and offered prayers.
Speaking to reporters, he described Khaleda Zia as an uncompromising leader and a symbol of democracy, expressing hope that her political ideals would be carried forward.
Later, BNP-nominated candidate for the Dhaka-14 constituency, Sanjida Islam Tuli, also paid tribute by placing flowers and offering prayers.
She said Khaleda Zia was not only a leader of BNP but a leader of the people of Bangladesh, recalling the huge public turnout at her funeral.
Many other leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations also visited the grave throughout the day to offer prayers.
Following Khaleda Zia’s death, BNP has been observing a seven-day mourning programme. As part of the programme, party offices across the country are keeping party flags at half-mast and hoisting black flags.
Begum Khaleda Zia had been undergoing treatment in the ICU of Evercare Hospital in Dhaka since November 23. Her condition was critical, and despite all efforts by doctors, she passed away around 6:00am on Tuesday, December 30.
Her namaz-e-janaza was held at Manik Mia Avenue on December 31, led by Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Mufti Abdul Malek. Lakhs of people from all political backgrounds joined the funeral prayers.
She was later buried beside her husband, Shaheed President and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman, at Zia Udyan in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar with full state honours.
