Published: 11:59 PM, 24 October 2026
Zia Mausoleum: Source of National Unity and Spirit
Honorary Consul of Malta M. Shoeb Chowdhury took Maltese High Commissioner Reuben Gauci to Ziaur Rahman's Mausoleum on 1 April 2026, which was the first visit to the mausoleum from a foreign ambassador since Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won the 13th parliamentary elections. Bangladesh’s three times Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is buried on the same spot. The Maltese High Commissioner paid floral tribute at the memorial monument. Executive Editor of The Asian Age Mahfuz Ul Hasib Chowdhury is also seen in the photograph. - AA
Bernard Priyam
The mausoleum of martyred President Ziaur Rahman and three times Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia is located in the capital's Parliament Avenue. It's one of the most vital spots in Bangladesh's history and it bears emblems of the country's glorious Liberation War because Ziaur Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence on 26 March 1971. Moreover, he valiantly participated in the Liberation War and was a heroic Sector Commander and military legend. Ziaur Rahman is also the founder of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). Moreover, Ziaur Rahman commanded the formidable Z Force during 1971. His slogan “We Revolt” emboldened freedom fighters to take up guns for the country’s independence.
Begum Khaleda Zia was laid to eternal rest on the same burial site when she died. A statesman of Ziaur Rahman's supremacy and a former Premier like Begum Khaleda Zia who is often adulated as the most uncompromising leader in the country's political legacy are buried there. However, considering the importance of the location, the maintenance, security setup and supervision around Zia's Mausoleum should be made all the more fortified. It should be remembered that anti-liberation quarters might look for opportunities to cause harm to Ziaur Rahman’s mausoleum because he was the individual who announced Bangladesh’s independence and this monument signifies the nation’s unity.
Security and surveillance over Ziaur Rahman’s Mausoleum deserve to be world-class. It may be recalled that former British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Anwar Choudhury faced a grenade attack while visiting a shrine in Sylhet on 21 May 2004. A lot of dignitaries visit Ziaur Rahman's Mausoleum including foreign diplomats and delegation teams from inside and outside Bangladesh. Keeping the inevitable point of visitors' safety in view and the security bulwark for the mausoleum, the presence of security forces around this place needs to be further consolidated.
Honorary Consul of Malta M. Shoeb Chowdhury took Maltese High Commissioner Reuben Gauci to Ziaur Rahman's Mausoleum on 1 April 2026, which was the first visit to the mausoleum from a foreign ambassador. The Maltese High Commissioner paid floral tribute at the memorial monument.
Ziaur Rahman introduced multiparty democracy in Bangladesh. He gave full liberty to all newspapers to carry on publication and thus he played a pioneering role in bringing about freedom of press in the country. Ziaur Rahman also succeeded in sending workers to the Middle East when he was Bangladesh’s President. Expatriate Bangladeshis in the Middle East send a great deal of remittances to Bangladesh and thus they keep the country’s economic wheels running. Credit goes to Ziaur Rahman for this valuable contribution to Bangladesh’s economy. He was one of the frontline founders of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Ziaur Rahman strengthened Bangladesh’s ties with the Arab world and China with his leadership skills and far-sight.
Ziaur Rahman's political front Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won a landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary elections which were held on 12 February 2026. Ziaur Rahman's son Tarique Rahman is the present elected Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Tarique Rahman has been working tirelessly since taking oath on 17 February 2026 to streamline everything across Bangladesh and to implement the visions of his parents Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia who both were patriotic leaders and contributed profusely in the prevalence of democratic circumference in Bangladesh and the country's forward march.
Begum Khaleda Zia, when she was Prime Minister, launched Women and Children Affairs Ministry and Science and Technology Ministry. She was Bangladesh’s first female Prime Minister and her splendid role in women empowerment across the country is still remembered with honour.
It's indispensable to establish stronger supervision and sharper vigilance on Ziaur Rahman's Mausoleum to facilitate visitors to get to know about precious historic epistles and to acquire vivid ideas about the prideful chapters Bangladesh brilliantly crossed over under the unmatched leadership of Ziaur Rahman and Begum Khaleda Zia. Historical sites need to be protected and conserved for forthcoming generations to grow love and respect for their motherland.
Tarique Rahman has stated that he is determined to ensure equal rights and socioeconomic justice to people from all backgrounds. Ziaur Rahman’s patriotic legacy and superb statesmanship will hopefully add momentum to the goals Tarique Rahman is working hard to achieve to speed up Bangladesh’s development programs and the country’s strife to stand on its own feet. Bangladesh is now in need for more foreign direct investments and generating jobs for youths. A new ray of optimism and confidence glared up over the horizon when BNP won the elections in February 2026. People in Bangladesh spontaneously participated in the anti-fascist agitations during July 2024. BNP is now entrusted with the assignment of pulling out Bangladesh from the relics of corruption and misgovernance that ravaged the country under the ousted regime.
It is being firmly expected that Bangladesh will regain its dignity on the world stage under Tarique Rahman’s premiership and the country will make giant strides ahead with advancement and glory. Ziaur Rahman’s song for his country is very much heartwarming “Prothom Bangladesh Amar Shesh Bangladesh, Jibon Bangladesh Amar Maran Bangladesh” (Bangladesh first, Bangladesh last, Bangladesh is held high from life till death). This is the vigour and love with which he adored his motherland and a resurrection of the same valour has now taken place for the country’s prosperity in days to come.
Bernard Priyam is a freelancer
and a columnist.
