General holiday for today
News Desk : dhakamirror.com
The government on Tuesday announced a three-day state mourning from today at the death of former prime minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party chairperson Khaleda Zia.
Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, in an address to the nation, announced the three-day state mourning and declared a one-day general holiday for Wednesday, the day of Khaleda’s namaz-e-Janaza.
Yunus, in his address simultaneously aired by Bangladesh Television and Bangladesh Betar at 12:00 noon, urged everyone to maintain discipline and order during the Janaza and observance of mourning.
President Mohammed Shahabuddin in a message also expressed deep shock at the death of Khaleda Zia, who is also the country’s first female prime minister.
‘I know that all of you are deeply saddened at this time. I hope that you will show patience during this time of mourning and cooperate with all those concerned involved in observing all formalities,’ Yunus said in his adderss.
‘The entire nation stands still in deep grief and sorrow as the top leader of the country’s democratic politics Khaleda Zia is no longer among us,’ he said.
Expressing profound shock at the death of Khaleda, he said, ‘With her death, the nation has lost a great guardian’.
‘At this moment of profound grief, I extend my heartfelt condolences, on behalf of the entire nation, to her family, political colleagues and countless leaders, activists and supporters,’ he said.
Describing Khaleda as a dignified figure in Bangladesh’s political history, Yunus said that her extraordinary role in the struggle to establish democracy, a multi-party political culture and the rights of the people would remain indelibly etched in history.
‘Her uncompromising leadership against autocracy and fascism repeatedly guided the nation the way out of undemocratic situations and inspired the nation for freedom,’ he said.
Khaleda’s long political journey, people-oriented leadership and unwavering commitment to upholding the independence and sovereignty of the beloved motherland will remain unforgettable, Yunus said, adding, ‘The void left by such a great, visionary and truly patriotic leader can never be filled’.
Urging all to remain united in this difficult time for the nation, Yunus said, ‘We must remain united. I urge everyone to remain vigilant so that no one can exploit the moment of grief to create instability or carry out acts of sabotage.’
Earlier in the day, a special meeting of the council of advisors was held at the state guest house Jamuna with the chief adviser in the chair.
The meeting decided to declare a three-day state mourning from today and a one-day general holiday on Wednesday, said law adviser Asif Nazrul at a press briefing after the meeting.
He said that the conviction against Khaleda during the ousted Awami League regime was a farce.
Noting that Khaleda had been subjected to torture in prison, he said that the ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, and her government could not avoid the responsibility for the death of the BNP chairperson at this stage.
He said, ‘She (Khaleda) was sent to jail through a farcical verdict and subjected to inhumane torture. The fact that the case in which Khaleda Zia was convicted was a farce, a completely fabricated verdict, has been proven through appeals and reviews by the highest court.’
‘I personally believe that the fascist prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her government are definitely responsible for Begum Zia’s death,’ Asif Nazrul added.
At the outset, members of the council of advisers stood in silence for one minute and offered prayers for the departed soul of three-time former prime minister Khaleda Zia.
A condolence resolution on Khaleda’s death was adopted in the meeting, read out by environment, forest and climate change, and information adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.
During the three days of state mourning, the national flag will be kept at half-mast at all government, semi-government, and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, all public and private buildings across the country, and Bangladesh missions abroad.
Special prayers and supplications will be arranged tomorrow at every mosque in the country seeking forgiveness for her departed soul. Special prayers will also be held at places of worship of other religions.
The meeting decided that condolence books will be opened at the Bangladesh missions abroad.
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the meeting as a special invitee. On behalf of the family and party, he expressed gratitude to the interim government and thanked the chief adviser for providing all necessary assistance, including security, to Khaleda.
At that time, Muhammad Yunus said that the government would extend all kinds of cooperation regarding the burial and namaz-e-janaza.
According to chief adviser’s press wing, the interim government took extensive preparations to ensure that burial of Khaleda with state honour.
Her funeral prayers are scheduled to take place at 2:00pm on Wednesday at the Parliament’s South Plaza and the adjoining Manik Mia Avenue in Dhaka.
Later, Khaleda will be laid to rest with state honour at about 3:30pm beside the grave of her husband, late president Ziaur Rahman, in the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.
Khaleda Zia passed away at 6:00am on Tuesday at a hospital in Dhaka while undergoing treatment there.
– Input from New Age was used in this article.
