Dhaka: bishops call for reconciliation after Khaleda Zia's death

The country's first female prime minister, a long-time protagonist in Bangladeshi political life, has died at the age of 80. An unprecedented crowd gathered at her funeral. Bishop Bejoy D'Cruze: ‘Despite differences of opinion, she loved the nation deeply’. The Church's appeal for peace and unity in a moment of profound grief.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - The Catholic Church in Bangladesh has joined the national mourning for the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, former prime minister and central figure in the country's political history. The bishops have called for a moment of reconciliation and hope for the future of the nation.

In an official statement released yesterday on behalf of the Christian community, Archbishop Bejoy N. D'Cruze, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB), paid tribute to the prime minister: ‘We express our deep sorrow at the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. With her passing, the nation has lost an experienced and visionary stateswoman.’

The prelate added: ‘We pray to Almighty God for the eternal peace of her soul and for the comfort of her family and followers.’

Despite the complex political events that have marked Dhaka's recent history, Msgr. D'Cruze highlighted the human qualities of the leader of the Bangladesh National Party (BNP): ‘Despite differences in views and paths, she was determined, courageous and uncompromising. Her love for her country, respect for others and compassion for the poor made her unique.’ The bishops concluded with an invocation for social stability: ‘Lord, give strength and peace to our country, transform pain into hope.’

Begum Khaleda Zia died on 30 December at 6 a.m. at the age of 80 at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. The first female prime minister of the country and the second in the Muslim world, her political career began after the tragic assassination of her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, in 1981.

She led the government for three terms (1991-1996, 2001-2006 and for a short period in 1996), marking the crucial transition to the restoration of democracy after years of military rule, despite heated political opposition and allegations of corruption that marked her later years.

On 31 December, a huge crowd attended her funeral on Manik Mia Avenue, near the Parliament. Millions of people poured into the streets in what has been described as the largest funeral in the country's history, uniting citizens of all faiths and social classes for a day.

Among those present were foreign dignitaries, Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, head of the current transitional government, and army leaders. Khaleda Zia was buried with full state honours alongside her husband.

‘She was no longer just a party leader; she had become a national figure,’ said one participant, Mir Mostofa, summing up the sentiment of many: ‘Her name will be written in gold letters in the pages of history.’

• Bangladesh
• Khaleda Zia
• funeral
• Church