At the outset of the meeting, members of the Advisory Council stood in silence for one minute in memory of Begum Khaleda Zia and offered prayers seeking forgiveness for her departed soul. Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain led the munajat.

The meeting decided to observe three days of state mourning starting from Wednesday in honour of the late former Prime Minister. It was also announced that Wednesday would be observed as a general public holiday.

A formal condolence resolution was adopted at the meeting and read out by Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan.

During the three-day state mourning period, the national flag will be flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, all public and private buildings, as well as Bangladesh missions abroad. Special prayers will be held in all mosques across the country on Wednesday seeking forgiveness for the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia, while special prayers will also be arranged at places of worship of other faiths.

The meeting further decided that condolence books would be opened at Bangladesh missions abroad to allow people to pay their respects.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir attended the meeting as a special invitee. On behalf of Begum Khaleda Zia’s family and the BNP, he expressed gratitude to the interim government and thanked the Chief Adviser for ensuring necessary support, including security arrangements for the former Prime Minister.

He informed the meeting that Begum Khaleda Zia’s namaz-e-janaza would be held on Wednesday after Zuhr prayers at the south plaza of the National Parliament and the adjacent Manik Mia Avenue. She will be laid to rest beside her late husband, Shaheed President and freedom fighter Ziaur Rahman.

Professor Yunus assured that the government would extend all necessary assistance for the janaza and burial of the former Prime Minister.

“We have gathered today at a moment of deep sorrow,” the Chief Adviser said. “The entire nation was praying for Begum Khaleda Zia, hoping she would remain with us for many more years. We seek forgiveness for her soul and convey, on behalf of the nation, our heartfelt condolences to her family. The government will provide all forms of support required for her janaza and burial.”

Recalling his last meeting with her, Professor Yunus said he had met Begum Khaleda Zia on 21 November on the occasion of Armed Forces Day. “She was in very high spirits that day. Despite being unwell herself, she inquired at length about my health and that of my wife. Her concern was always for others. At this critical moment in the nation’s history, when unity is essential, her presence was greatly needed. Her passing is an immense loss for the nation,” he added.

BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia (80), widely regarded as an uncompromising leader for democracy in Bangladesh, passed away on early Tuesday while undergoing treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka.