The leadership offers condolences to the President of Bangladesh on the death of Khaleda Zia – details of the telegram

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, sent a cable of condolences to His Excellency President Mohammad Shahabuddin, President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, on the death of Her Excellency Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister, expressing his sincere condolences to the family of the deceased and to the brotherly Bangladeshi people.

In his telegram, the King said: “We have learned of the death of Her Excellency Khaleda Zia, the former Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh - may God have mercy on her - and we send to Your Excellency and to the family of the deceased our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, and we ask God Almighty to have mercy on her and forgive her, and to grant her a place in His spacious Paradise, and to protect you from all harm. Indeed, we belong to God and to Him we shall return.”.

Condolences from the Crown Prince

In the same vein, His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent a similar cable of condolences to His Excellency President Mohammad Shahabuddin. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince said: “I received the news of the passing of Her Excellency Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh – may God have mercy on her – and I extend to Your Excellency and the family of the deceased my deepest condolences and sincere sympathy, asking Almighty God to grant her His abundant mercy and forgiveness, and to admit her to His spacious Paradise, and to protect you from all harm. He is the All-Hearing, the Responsive.”.

A remarkable political career

These condolences from the Saudi leadership come in recognition of the prominent political role played by the late Khaleda Zia in the history of modern Bangladesh. Khaleda Zia was a pivotal figure in Asian politics, being the first woman to serve as Prime Minister in Bangladesh and the second woman to lead a Muslim-majority country after Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. She held the position for two terms: from 1991 to 1996 and from 2001 to 2006.

Khaleda Zia led the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for decades, the party founded by her late husband, President Ziaur Rahman. Her terms in office were marked by a strong focus on economic and educational reforms, particularly girls' education, making her a prominent symbol of women's empowerment in South Asia.

The depth of Saudi-Bangladeshi relations

The messages of condolence reflect the deep-rooted fraternal and historical ties that bind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Relations between the two countries have always been characterized by strength and cooperation in various fields, particularly given the close Islamic bonds that unite the two brotherly peoples.

The Kingdom has always been keen to stand by Bangladesh in all circumstances, whether through developmental and economic support or through political stances that support the stability and prosperity of this large Islamic country. The passing of a figure of Khaleda Zia's stature is a significant event that calls for recalling the historical milestones that have united the leaders of the two countries over the past decades.