Tarique Rahman thanks his countrymen for honouring his mother

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has thanked the millions of Bangladeshis, foreign dignitaries, and well-wishers who gathered to mourn and pay their respects after the death of his mother, three-time Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia.

Tarique Rahman issued a heartfelt statement on social media after laying his mother to rest alongside his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. He described the weight of his mother's absence as "immeasurable" but said the nation's presence made the moment "feel less alone."

"Seeing you all here, standing with our family during these most difficult times, reminded me of something very precious: that she was not only a mother to me but also a mother to this nation," the statement read.

Tarique Rahman stated that he was "deeply moved by the outpouring of love from so many friends, neighbours, well-wishers, and families who came by the millions to honor her life and legacy."

He also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the senior dignitaries of South Asian countries who attended personally, as well as the countries, diplomats, and partners who shared their condolences with the family and the party, stating that their gestures of deep respect and sympathy "have touched our hearts profoundly."

During his time of grief, the BNP Acting Chairman remembered his father, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, and his late brother, Arafat Rahman. He took comfort in the national support, saying, "Today, at a time of greatest sorrow, I feel like this entire nation is my family."

He ended his message by promising to honour his mother's legacy of service: "My mother dedicated her life to serving others, day after day, with unwavering dedication... I feel the weight of that legacy, and I promise to honour it with humility and commitment. Where her journey came to a halt, I will strive to carry on her work for the people whose faith and love sustained her until her death."

"May Allah grant her eternal peace, and may we gain strength from the devotion she shared with us all," he concluded.