BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Tuesday (December 30) announced the death of his mother, BNP Chairperson and former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, saying she had "responded to the call of Almighty Allah and left us today."
In a post from his official social media account, Tarique Rahman wrote, "To many, she was the leader of the nation, an uncompromising leader, the Mother of Democracy, the Mother of Bangladesh. Today, the country mourns the loss of a guiding presence that shaped its democratic aspirations."
Reflecting on his personal loss, Tarique Rahman said, "To me, Khaleda Zia was a tender and loving mother who devoted her entire life to the country and its people."
He added that throughout her life she "stood firm against autocracy, fascism, and domination, leading the struggle for freedom, sovereignty, and the restoration of democracy."
He described her private life as one marked by quiet strength, saying that although her public life was "illuminated by sacrifice and struggle," at home she was "our truest guardian, a mother whose infinite love gave us strength in our darkest moments."
Tarique Rahman said his mother "endured repeated arrests, denial of medical care, and relentless persecution," but even amid "pain, confinement, and uncertainty, she never stopped sheltering her family with courage and compassion." He added, "Her resilience was not loud, but it was unbreakable."
He also highlighted the personal sacrifices she made for the country, writing, "For the country, she lost her husband; she lost her child. In that loss, this nation and its people became her family, her purpose, her very soul."
Tarique Rahman said Khaleda Zia leaves behind "an unforgettable legacy of patriotism, sacrifice, and resistance," which he said "will live on in the democratic conscience of Bangladesh."
Concluding his message, he appealed to the public for prayers, saying, "I urge you all to pray for my mother."
He also expressed gratitude on behalf of his family, adding, "For the profound emotion, love, and respect shown by the people of this country and by the world, my family and I remain eternally grateful."
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