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Khaleda Zia

From Wikiquote

Begum Khaleda Zia (15 August 1945 – 30 December 2025) was a Bangladeshi politician, who served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh from 1991 to 1996 and again from 2001 to 2006. She was the first female prime minister of Bangladesh and second female prime minister in the Muslim world, after Benazir Bhutto. She was the widow of one of the former President of Bangladesh, Ziaur Rahman. She was the chairperson and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) since 1984, which was founded by her husband in 1978.

Khaleda Zia in 2010

Quotes

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  • Khaleda Zia has no fear, we have not left the streets, I do not accept these slogans. When they are supposed to be on the streets, they were not there. Why should I tell many people, even my leaders, that those who were supposed to be on the streets, were not there. Please do not give these slogans anymore. Learn good slogans. I do not need to bring slum boys to run the party.
    • At the leaders' conference [1]
  • I said I don't want anything, I want to work for the people, for the country, for the people now. I have no desire to be the Prime Minister. I have no desire to be anything else. All I have is, these children of my country, who have become new voters, and the people, who could not vote, by the next vote, this son of b..ahhhmm.. they will send away the "government without votes", the people's government of the country will be established.
    • At the public meeting conference [2] [3]
  • Hey girl, where is your home? Gopali (Gopalgonj)? The name of Gopalganj will change, do you understand? The disrespectful rats. The name of Gopalganj will not exist. Those who are doing this, Allah's wrath will fall on you.' , 'Where are your officers? You have talked a lot so far....Why are you keeping your mouth shut now? . ... 57 officers were killed. Where was Hasina that day? Where was Hasina's force that day? Why didn't she send this force. Because she herself was involved in this murder.There will be no profit in Hasina's mediation. Stay with the people of Bangladesh. Stay with the people. Stay with the people of the country. Only then will it work. The country will survive, the people will survive. Today, it has become everyone's responsibility to save the country. And now you are going door to door and killing people. Do you think there is no accounting for these? The cries of these mothers and sisters... the cries of the wives of BDR officers—will these be in vain? These will never be in vain. Those who are oppressing us today will one day be blinded by tears like these. 'Stop pushing and shoving. Don't push and shove. We didn't come to push and shove. Don't climb on us. Stay away. Where is your place? You are supposed to be on the streets, why have you come home? Why are your daughters arguing like this? These daughters should be quiet. How many days have you been in the service, that you talk so much? Why do you talk so much? Be quiet. Where is the shamelessness? You are the protectors of democracy. And the police force that exists, they are neither there to protect democracy, nor to protect the country. You are the soldiers to protect the country, to protect democracy. We are with you. We will be there, God willing. So, my fellow journalists, fellow lawyers... I express my sympathy to the people who have taken to the streets and have been humiliated in various ways. My sincere thanks. Our program will continue tomorrow as well.' I want to tell the people through the media, 'Democracy has been destroyed today. Now, they should respond to the call I have given to save democracy and the country. The people have responded. Today, the government has closed all the roads and vehicles out of fear so that the people cannot come. But this program will continue. This government is an illegal government. This government is an undemocratic, autocratic government. This government has no right to be in power. If this government has any shame, it will leave immediately.'
    • On December 29, 2013, despite trying for two hours, being unable to leave his Gulshan home.[4] [5]
  • Allama Shafi has repeatedly said that he does not adhere to Jamaat-e-Islami. Still, Awami League and its supporting intellectuals continue to accuse him of thwarting the trial of Jamaat-e-Islami and war criminals. From this it is understood that the problem of Awami League is not about Razakar or the liberation war, the problem is about Islam. If not, why will Sheikh Hasina make obscene story writer Rajib Haider alias Thaba Baba (claw father, a pseudonym) the first martyr of the Second Liberation War about the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of Islam? And there are so many groups in the program of Hefazat Islam, why will Shahriar Kabir, the contractor of food in the canteen of the Pakistani army go to strike? They talk about Islam on their faces during vote politics and hijab on their heads and Tababih on their hands, but in reality they are enemies of Islam. They are hypocrites. Avoid and prevent them.
    • 4 April 2013
  • "In this life without relatives, my countrymen are my relatives. Allah is my only hope. No matter where I am, as long as I live, I will not leave my countrymen." [6] (8 February 2018)
  • "He (Sheikh Mujib) did not want the independence of Bangladesh. He wanted to become the Prime Minister of Pakistan. If Ziaur Rahman had not declared independence, the liberation war would not have happened." [7] (22 May 2016)
  • "Students, youth are our future. To realize the dream for which the youth have poured their blood, we must build a democratic Bangladesh based on talent, ability and knowledge. A prosperous Bangladesh free from exploitation. The rights of all religions and communities must be ensured. To build a modern Bangladesh based on peace, progress and equality. Let us strengthen the hands of the youth. Let us build a society based on love, peace and knowledge, not destruction, not revenge." [8] (7 August 2024)

Specific novel/play/work

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  • Ullah, Mahfuz (18 November 2018). Begum Khaleda Zia: Her Life Her Story. The Universal Academy. ISBN 978-984-93757-0-8. 

Quotes about

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  • I have declared three days of state mourning for the death of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and a day of general holiday in her prayers tomorrow.
  • Today, our entire nation is silent in deep grief and pain. The top leader of the country's democratic politics, former Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia is no longer with us. Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un. We are deeply saddened and shocked by the demise of Khaleda Zia. The nation has lost a great guardian in her death. In this moment of deep grief, he expressed his sincere condolences to Khaleda Zia's family members, political colleagues and countless workers and supporters on behalf of the entire nation. He said, 'My prayer to the Almighty God is that He may give us all the strength to overcome this deep grief. Khaleda Zia was an absolutely glorious figure in Bangladeshi politics. Her outstanding role in the struggle to establish democracy, multi-party political culture and people's rights will remain immortal in history. Her uncompromising leadership against tyranny and fascism has repeatedly shown the nation the way out of undemocratic situations and has inspired liberation. The nation will forever remember her brilliant contribution to the country and the nation with respect. Khaleda Zia's long political journey, people-oriented leadership, and her steadfast role in upholding the independence and sovereignty of her beloved motherland will be unforgettable. The void of such a great, far-sighted and pure patriotic leader cannot be filled. At this moment of grief, my sincere appeal to you - let us all, from our respective positions, seek forgiveness from the Almighty God for the departed soul of Begum Khaleda Zia. At the same time, let us remain united in this difficult time for the nation. I urge everyone to be vigilant so that no one can attempt instability or sabotage during this time of mourning. It is very important for all of us to play our responsible role at this time. I know that all of you are very emotional at this time. I hope that you will show patience in this time of grief and cooperate with everyone involved in carrying out all the formalities, including her funeral. May Allah Almighty grant us all patience, strength and the ability to remain united.
  • After the city of Chittagong was captured by the enemy, when Begum Khaleda Zia hid under a burqa and fled from Chittagong by steamer to Narayanganj, it was Mr. Mozammel Haque who brought her from Narayanganj to Dhaka. That day was May 16. Curfew was imposed in Dhaka city. Curfew was also imposed in Narayanganj from the evening. In the meantime, he painted the Red Cross mark on his car and rushed to Narayanganj terminal. About ten days after bringing Begum Zia, on May 26, the Pakistani soldiers called all the officers with the name Haque in the Industrial Development Organization and asked if anyone was related to Colonel Zia. Mr. Mozammel Haque realized that danger was approaching. He hid his relationship with Colonel Zia there and returned home on the pretext of illness and immediately made arrangements to remove Begum Zia from her house. But not finding a suitable place, he finally left her at the house of one of his uncles in Dhanmondi for a few days on 28th May and from there on 3rd June he was again shifted to the house of Mr. Mujibur Rahman, Assistant Director of Geological Survey and a few days later to the house of Mr. SK Abdullah, Deputy Director of Geological Survey. In the meantime, on 13th June, the Pakistani army men came and raided the house of Mr. Mozammel Haque. A certain Colonel Khan was leading this raiding party. Colonel Khan questioned Begum Zia and said that they had seen Begum Zia in this house. Not getting any satisfactory answer from Mr. Haque, his ten-year-old son Don was also questioned. Don clearly told Colonel Khan that he had not seen his aunt in the last three years. When all efforts failed, Khan's soldiers searched his house. But not finding Begum Zia there, he returned in despair. Before leaving, he was told that if he did not tell the truth, he would be taken to the cantonment. After that, Mr. Haque realized that he was being followed all the time. Wherever he went, Feu followed him. In this situation, he took leave from the office on the pretext of his mother's illness and made arrangements to leave Dhaka with his family. As arranged, on July 1, they left the car in the garage and went out through the back door and boarded two auto-rickshaws. The intention was to go to Begum Zia's maternal uncle's house in Dhanmondi and board for the time being. But as soon as they reached the Science Laboratory, one of their auto-rickshaws broke down. In this situation, they went to a friend's house on Green Road nearby and boarded. But a big surprise awaited them here. As soon as Mr. Haque reached here, the wife of this distinguished friend of his informed him that they had received a letter written by Colonel Zia. The letter was written to Mr. Haque and they had been looking for him for a few days to send it to him. Not understanding how Colonel Zia's letter addressed to him came to this house, he was completely surprised and wanted to see the letter. His friend's son took out the letter. To check whether it was really written by Colonel Zia, he gave it to his friend's son and sent it to Mr. Mujibur Rahman of the Geological Survey. Meanwhile, as evening approached, Mr. Haque sought shelter at his friend's house for the night. Assuring them of a safer place, they were sent to a small house in Sutrapur at night. His friend's son brought them to this house in a car. Here they took shelter in a small room. But the next day, they found that the Pakistani army had surrounded the house. Dozens of armed soldiers were standing in front of the house. The head of this group was Captain Sajjad and Captain Arif. They went inside and started questioning them about Colonel Zia and Begum Zia. Mr. Haque and his wife denied their relationship with Zia. But when Captain Sajjad showed them a group photo of Begum Zia with Mr. and Begum Haque, they admitted to their relationship with Zia. However, they said that they did not know where the Colonel and Begum Zia were. At this stage, around 5 pm, Mr. Haque and his wife were taken to Malibagh intersection in a military vehicle and kept in front of Mouchak Market until evening. Here they were told that Begum Zia had been arrested. Then they were taken around the second capital area and brought back to their house in Sutrapur and released. From here, they came to Mr. Haque's friend's house on Green Road at night and from there returned to his own house in Khilgaon. It is noteworthy that on this day, Begum Zia and Mr. Abdullah, as well as Mr. Mujibur Rahman, were arrested by the Pak army from Mr. SK Abdullah's house in Siddheshwari.
  • Dacca, Major Zia Ur Rahman, Pak Army. We all happy with your job. We must say, good job. You will get new job soon.Don't worry about your family. Your wife and kids are fine. You have to be more careful about Major Jalil. Col. Baig, Pak Army, May 29. 1971[11]
  • Dear General Jamshed, My wife Khaleda is under your custody. If you do not treat her with respect, I would kill you someday. Major Zia
  • Humayun Ahmed, Jochona O Jononir Golpo, 2006
  • When Khaleda Zia repeatedly refused to leave the Pakistan Army-controlled cantonment, General Zia told me that he would divorce her after the war. But it did not happen with the intervention of Bangabandhu.
    • Abdul Ghaffar Chowdhury, 16 May 2017, speaking at the launch of "Liberation War: The Unknown Chapter" by Nadeem Qadeer, then Press Secretary of the Bangladesh High Commission in London. [12]
  • "Khaleda Zia has not spent a single taka on herself. Yet, there is propaganda in her name that she is killing orphans' money. But no propaganda can erase her unparalleled popularity, nor can it erase her self-sacrifice." [13] Asif Nazrul about her (8 February 2020)
  • They says, her liver is rotting. Everyone knows what causes liver rot quickly.
    • Sheikh Hasina, 30 August 2022 [14]
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