Eminent citizens on Friday paid tribute to three-time former prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, calling on the nation to move forward by embracing the path she had shown and to remain united during a critical period of national transition.

The call was made at a citizens’ condolence meeting titled “Invincible Begum Khaleda Zia”, held at the South Plaza of the National Parliament Building, where speakers recalled her long political life, democratic struggle and contributions to state governance.

They said that despite enduring years of political persecution, imprisonment and personal loss, Khaleda Zia consistently rejected hatred and vengeance, even after the mass uprising of 2024, and instead urged unity, youth mobilisation and the building of a knowledge-based nation.

Participants said her conduct and message following her release in August 2024 reflected restraint and statesmanship at a time of deep national strain, and urged political actors and citizens alike to internalise her values of patience, honesty and reconciliation.

BNP Chairman and her elder son Tarique Rahman attended the programme at 2:30pm along with his wife Zubaida Rahman, daughter Zaima Rahman, Sharmila Rahman—wife of Khaleda Zia’s late younger son Arafat Rahman Koko—and other family members. Before the formal proceedings began, a documentary on Khaleda Zia’s life and political journey was screened.

The meeting formally started at 3:05pm with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a eulogy delivered by Saleh Uddin, executive editor of The Daily Ittefaq.

Former chief justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain, who presided over the meeting, described Khaleda Zia as a “wise and true national stateswoman” whose democratic stance, political wisdom and personal sacrifices have secured her a distinguished place in the country’s history.

He said unity could not be built through malice or falsehoods that divide society, urging the nation to abandon the habit of lying and the impulse for revenge.

Recalling her “extraordinary fortitude”, he said that despite years of imprisonment on what he termed vindictive charges and profound personal grief, she maintained patience and dignity.

He added that her post-release remarks were statesmanlike, as she championed a society based on love rather than destruction, saying this message should resonate not merely as a political statement but as the voice of a civilised state that chooses tolerance over retaliation.

Despite enduring years of political persecution, imprisonment and personal loss, Khaleda Zia consistently rejected hatred and vengeance, even after the mass uprising of 2024, and instead urged unity, youth mobilisation and the building of a knowledge-based nation.

Former caretaker government adviser Raja Debashish Roy highlighted her recognition of traditional village leadership in the Chattogram Hill Tracts during her tenure, including official recognition of the karbari role.

Mahbub Ullah, chairman of the memorial preparation committee, said that although Khaleda Zia departed for the “eternal realm” on December 30, her patriotism and honesty would endure. He recalled three of her “immortal maxims”, underscoring sovereignty, independence and her unwavering attachment to Bangladesh.

Interim government adviser Asif Nazrul expressed gratitude to participants of the July Uprising, noting that Bangladeshis could now freely express both love and criticism. He said the nation must internalise Khaleda Zia’s qualities of honesty, determination, self-sacrifice and patriotism to move forward.

Writer Faham Abdus Salam observed that a leader’s ultimate transformation is from legal authority to moral authority, achieved through immense sacrifice, adding that despite political errors common to all leaders, she never stood against the common people.

"Unity could not be built through malice or falsehoods that divide society, urging the nation to abandon the habit of lying and the impulse for revenge", Former chief justice Syed JR Mudassir Husain.

Basudeb Dhar, president of the Puja Udjapan Parishad, said the history of Bangladesh’s democratic struggle was incomplete without her, noting her constant presence whenever rights were curtailed.

Writer-researcher Mohiuddin Ahmad divided her political life into distinct phases, from her rise during the anti-autocracy movement to her years in government and opposition, followed by a later period marked by struggle and victimisation.

He said her elegance and call for reconciliation, expressed in a video message after her release in 2024, remained central to her legacy.

The Daily Star editor Mahfuz Anam recalled her respect for independent journalism and tolerance of dissent, while other speakers highlighted her contributions to disability rights, foreign policy, economic reforms, industrial growth, the pharmaceutical sector, merit-based public service recruitment and the structural transformation of the economy.

Former Public Service Commission chairman SMA Faiz said she ensured merit-based appointments without political interference, while economist Prof Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir credited her tenure with lifting millions out of poverty, achieving food self-sufficiency and laying the foundations for industrialisation.

Top political leaders, diplomats, journalists, development workers, academics, researchers, editors, business leaders and people from various professions attended the programme.

The condolence meeting concluded at 5:30pm with prayers seeking forgiveness and eternal peace for the departed leader.