TDS Desk:

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged the people of Bangladesh to pray for his late mother and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, and asked forgiveness on her behalf if she had ever hurt anyone.

Addressing a sea of mourners at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad complex shortly before her namaz-e-janaza, Tarique said, “I am Tarique Rahman, the elder son of the late Begum Khaleda Zia. If my mother had taken any loan from anyone during her lifetime, I request you to contact me. I will arrange repayment, Insha’Allah.”

He further said, “If anyone was hurt by any of her actions or words during her lifetime, I sincerely seek forgiveness on behalf of the departed. Please pray that Allah Almighty grants her Jannah.”

Tarique delivered the very brief and simple address at around 2:58pm, speaking emotionally, like any son of an ordinary Muslim family, as part of funeral formalities.

Khaleda Zia’s body was brought to a temporary stage at the South Plaza around 2:45pm ahead of the janaza.

Later, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan read out a short life sketch of Khaleda Zia on behalf of the party, highlighting her entry into politics, long struggle for democracy, commitment to democratic values and deep patriotism.

He also urged all to pray for her departed soul.

Renowned Islamic scholar and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque Khatib Mufti Mohammad Abdul Malek led the namaz-e-janaza at 3:02pm.

Khaleda Zia was later laid to rest beside her husband, late President Ziaur Rahman, at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar around 4:30pm, with state honour.

The three-time former Prime Minister passed away at 6am on Tuesday morning at the age of 80 at Evercare Hospital, where she had been undergoing treatment for more than a month due to multiple critical health complications.