BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. Photo : Collected

FENI, Dec 30, 2025 (BSS) - The death of former prime minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia has cast a deep shadow of grief across her native district, Feni. 

Khaleda Zia, a prominent national leader, hailed from the village of Sreepur in Fulgazi upazila of the district. She was a five-time Member of Parliament, securing landslide victories in the Feni-1 constituency, and served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh on three occasions, in addition to leading the opposition twice.

Her leadership brought significant development to the district, and her passing is being mourned by people from all walks of life. Many consider her a major figure in the political and infrastructural transformation of Feni.

In a statement to the BSS, BNP Vice Chairman Abdul Awal Mintu expressed that the people of Feni owe much of their recognition to Begum Khaleda Zia, whose influence reached beyond party lines. "Feni district is blessed with the identity of Begum Khaleda Zia. Because of her, this once small district became a hub for political discourse in the nation," he said.

Rehana Akhter Ranu, a former Member of Parliament and BNP leader, shared her sentiment, emphasizing the pride that the people of Feni feel for their daughter, Khaleda Zia. "Our slogan, 'Feni's daughter Khaleda, my pride is different,' represents the unity and admiration that transcends political boundaries. Her passing is a loss to the entire country, but Feni has experienced an irreversible blow," she said.

District BNP convener Sheikh Farid Bahar confirmed that a week of mourning has been declared in Feni, with residents expressing their sorrow in various ways. "Tears are flowing in every household of Feni," he said. "We are organizing prayers and Milads in all mosques throughout the district. People, irrespective of their political affiliations, are showing their respect by wearing black badges as a symbol of mourning."

Senior journalist Mir Hossain Miru reflected on the long-lasting development initiatives that Khaleda Zia spearheaded in Feni. "The transformation of Feni during Khaleda Zia's tenure is remarkable," he said. "Among her many contributions are the relocation of the district headquarters from Rajajir Dighi to a more expansive area, the construction of a circuit house by Bijoy Singh Dighi, and the establishment of educational institutions like Feni Girls Cadet College and Feni Computer Institute."
Other significant contributions included the donation of land for Feni Diabetic Hospital and the Muktijoddha Complex, along with the relocation of the district jail.

In Fulgazi, the birthplace of Begum Khaleda Zia, the news of her death has reverberated deeply. Fakhrul Alam Swapan, a member of the Fulgazi Upazila BNP, reported that mourning arrangements, including Quran Khani, Milads, and Doa, are being held at Sreepur's Majumdar Bari Mosque and Madrasa, where the late leader spent much of her early life.

Saleh Uddin Ahmed Majumder, former principal of Fulgazi Begum Khaleda Zia Women's College, recalled the leader’s pivotal role in the institution’s establishment. 

"The college, founded in 1994, stands as a testament to Khaleda Zia’s commitment to education and women’s empowerment. Despite political changes and efforts to erase her legacy, the college remains an enduring symbol of her contributions," he stated.
As Feni and the nation mourn the loss of a political giant, the legacy of Begum Khaleda Zia is likely to remain an influential part of Bangladesh’s history for generations to come.