Dhaka, Dec. 31 -- Hundreds of thousands of people on Wednesday offered prayers at Manik Mia Avenue as the namaz-e-janaza of BNP Chairperson and three-time former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia was held, bidding her a final farewell amid waves of grief.

Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of the national mosque Baitul Mukarram, led the janaza under the bright winter sun at around 3 pm.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, interim government advisers, BNP leaders, leaders of other political parties, and the chiefs of the three services joined the janaza.

Foreign dignitaries, including representatives from India, Pakistan, and other South and Southeast Asian countries, were also present.

People from across the country thronged Manik Mia Avenu...