Family members of the late former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia, including her granddaughter Zaima Rahman, visited her grave at Zia Udyan in the capital on Friday morning.
Arriving at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar mausoleum around 10:30 am, the group included her sister Selina Islam, younger daughter-in-law Shameela Rahman and other close relatives.
The family placed wreaths at the graves of both Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia, followed by the recitation of the Holy Quran and a special munajat seeking eternal peace for her soul.
The mausoleum was briefly closed to the general public for about an hour during the family’s 20-minute visit.
However, despite the dense fog and cold weather, a steady stream of BNP leaders, activists and common citizens had been arriving since the Fajr prayers to pay their respects to the "uncompromising leader."
This visit coincides with the final day of the three-day state mourning period declared by the government.
Throughout this period, the national flag has flown at half-mast across all government, autonomous and educational institutions as well as Bangladesh missions abroad.
Special prayers are also scheduled to be held at mosques and other religious institutions nationwide following the Jummah.
Begum Khaleda Zia passed away on December 30 at 6 am while undergoing treatment in the ICU of Evercare Hospital.
Her namaz-e-janaza, held at Manik Mia Avenue on December 31, saw a massive turnout of hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life.
Following the funeral prayers, she was laid to rest with full state honours beside her husband and BNP founder Ziaur Rahman.
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