sToday marks the second day of state mourning following the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, a towering leader of the country’s democratic politics, former prime minister, and chairperson of the BNP.
A three-day state mourning period began across the country yesterday, Wednesday. The mourning, which started on December 31, will continue until Friday, January 2, 2026.

On the second day of state mourning, the national flag has been kept at half-mast at all government, semi-government, autonomous and educational institutions, as well as at all public and private buildings across the country and Bangladesh missions abroad.

The mourning programme was announced through a gazette issued by the Cabinet Division on Tuesday. The notification stated that the government is deeply saddened by the death of Begum Khaleda Zia, the uncompromising leader of the movement to restore democracy. In her memory, state mourning will be observed from Wednesday, December 31, 2025, to Friday, January 2, 2026.

Special prayers will be offered for the eternal peace of Begum Khaleda Zia tomorrow, Friday (January 2), at all mosques across the country, while special prayers will also be arranged at other places of worship.

Earlier, in a special address to the nation yesterday, the Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, announced the three-day state mourning and declared a general holiday on Wednesday.