Begum Khaleda Zia Turns 82 Today, Prayers and Milad Held Across the Country

The 82nd birth anniversary of former prime minister and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is being observed today, Saturday, with prayer and milad programmes across Bangladesh.

Born on August 15, 1945, in Dinajpur, Khaleda Zia was the third child of Eskandar Majumdar and Toiba Majumdar. This is the first birth anniversary being observed since her death on December 30, 2025.

Instead of holding elaborate celebrations, the BNP has announced nationwide prayer and milad programmes seeking the eternal peace of the departed leader.

The central programme will be held at 11am at the BNP central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka. Senior BNP leaders are expected to attend the event. Similar programmes will be organized at party offices and mosques across districts, metropolitan areas and upazilas.

Khaleda Zia died after suffering from prolonged health complications. Her namaz-e-janaza was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad complex on December 31, 2025, drawing a large gathering. She was later laid to rest beside her husband, former president Ziaur Rahman.

Khaleda Zia entered BNP politics following the assassination of Ziaur Rahman in 1981. She became a primary member of the party in January 1982 and was elected BNP chairperson in 1984.

She later emerged as a key leader of the anti-autocracy movement and became Bangladesh’s first female prime minister following the 1991 parliamentary election. She served as prime minister three times and also served twice as leader of the opposition.

Khaleda Zia also achieved a remarkable electoral record, winning all 23 constituencies she contested across five parliamentary elections.

During the political transition following the July-August 2024 mass uprising, she was permanently released from detention on August 6, 2024. Following her death, her eldest son Tarique Rahman took over as BNP chairman and is currently serving as prime minister.

As part of the birth anniversary programmes, BNP leaders and affiliated organizations are also arranging charity and prayer events for disadvantaged people in different parts of the country.