The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is observing the 91st birth anniversary of its founder and former president Ziaur Rahman on January 19, 2026. The two-day program includes floral tributes and prayers at his grave, flag hoisting at party offices nationwide, and special discussions and prayer meetings at district and local levels. A central discussion will be held at the Institution of Diploma Engineers Bangladesh auditorium in Dhaka, where senior BNP leaders and prominent figures will speak. BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir issued a statement highlighting Ziaur Rahman’s patriotism, honesty, and leadership, calling him a model of moral character and urging unity to restore democracy and human rights.

The report recalls Ziaur Rahman’s life and political legacy, noting his role as a sector commander in the Liberation War, his presidency from 1977 until his assassination in 1981, and his founding of the BNP in 1978. Historian Dr. Mohammad Siddiqur Rahman Khan stated that attempts during Awami League rule to erase Zia’s legacy failed, and his contributions to Bangladesh’s economy, nationalism, and diplomacy remain significant.

The programs aim to honor Ziaur Rahman’s contributions to Bangladesh’s political and economic development and reaffirm his ideological influence within the BNP.