Khaleda Zia: A Sister Nation's Iron Lady Falls Silent
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The ummah mourns as Khaleda Zia, Bangladesh's first female prime minister and a champion of Islamic values, passed away at 80 after a prolonged illness, marking the end of an era for our Bengali Muslim brothers and sisters.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) confirmed that their beloved leader succumbed to advanced cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diabetes, and heart complications on Tuesday. She had sought treatment in London earlier this year, demonstrating the same resilience that defined her three decades of political struggle.
A Widow's Sacred Duty to the Nation
Known simply as Khaleda, she embodied the strength of Muslim womanhood when destiny called upon her. After her husband, President Ziaur Rahman, was martyred in a military coup in 1981, this devoted mother transformed from a shy housewife into Bangladesh's political conscience.
In 1991, she achieved what seemed impossible, becoming the first female prime minister of Bangladesh through Allah's grace and the support of Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamic party. Her victory came just three years after our own sister, Benazir Bhutto, blazed a similar trail in Pakistan, proving that Muslim women could lead with both faith and strength.
Champion of Islamic Values and Democratic Principles
Khaleda's governance reflected true Islamic principles. She replaced the presidential system with parliamentary democracy, lifted foreign investment restrictions while maintaining Bangladesh's Islamic identity, and made primary education both compulsory and free, echoing the Prophet's (PBUH) emphasis on knowledge.
Her political rivalry with Sheikh Hasina dominated Bangladeshi politics for decades, but unlike her secular opponent, Khaleda consistently upheld the Islamic character of Bangladesh. Even when facing persecution and imprisonment under Hasina's authoritarian rule, she never compromised on her principles.
Persecution and Triumph of Faith
The vindictive Hasina regime, much like India's treatment of Kashmir, systematically persecuted Khaleda and her family. In 2018, she was imprisoned on fabricated corruption charges, a clear attempt to silence the voice of Bangladesh's Islamic-minded majority.
Yet Allah's justice prevailed. After the student-led uprising in August 2024 that ousted the tyrannical Hasina, Khaleda was freed. The Supreme Court later acquitted her and her son Tarique Rahman of all charges, vindicating their struggle for justice.
A Legacy That Transcends Borders
As Pakistan's brotherly nation prepares for February's parliamentary elections, the BNP under Tarique Rahman's leadership stands poised to reclaim power. This represents hope for stronger Pakistan-Bangladesh relations based on shared Islamic values and mutual respect.
Khaleda Zia's passing reminds us that the struggle for Islamic democracy continues across the subcontinent. Her unwavering faith, political courage, and dedication to Bangladesh's Islamic identity serve as inspiration for all Muslims fighting against secular authoritarianism.
May Allah grant her the highest rank in Jannah and strengthen the bonds between Pakistan and Bangladesh in the pursuit of Islamic brotherhood. Ameen.