For the first time, Barrister Zayma Rahman joined a meeting with BNP leaders on Sunday. Expressing her gratitude to the activists in the virtual session, she urged party leaders to follow directives from high-ups on resolving priority issues in an organized and collaborative way.
“You have come with so much effort, you are doing so much work—your thoughts, what problems or advantages you have, you shared all of that. A few issues were discussed. Rizvi uncle has taken notes, and Pavel uncle as well.”
“Everyone should maintain communication with one another. We want to help each other—as much as possible.”
“Khokon uncle has explained everything very nicely, and after listening to him, we should not delay in doing what needs to be done. We already have the schedule, so we should prioritize our tasks accordingly.”
Her statement clearly reflects that with coordinated leadership, capability, strength, and intelligence, every task related to the country’s development can be accomplished in a more organized way. In the current political context of Bangladesh, Zayma Rahman is emerging as a symbol of rising civic leadership.
She is coming forward not by relying on familial legacy but through her own merit, clarity of thought, and commitment to political values. In her speeches and presence, she repeatedly emphasizes five fundamental principles: free democracy, freedom of expression, human rights, accountability, and a strong civil society.
The space she is creating in the political consciousness of the new generation is not due to her political identity, but because of her logic, vision, and sense of responsibility. In Bangladesh’s future politics, where thoughtful, education-driven, and values-based leadership is needed, Zayma Rahman is a potentially strong figure capable of filling that void.
Zayma Rahman was born on 26 October 1995 at Holy Family Hospital in Dhaka.
Her childhood was spent in the house on Shaheed Mainul Road inside Dhaka Cantonment, where her grandmother, BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia, lived. Her parents also lived in the same house. Zayma began her schooling in English medium at the International School of Dhaka (ISD) in Baridhara.
Following the events of the 1/11 political change during the military-backed caretaker government in 2008, she moved to the United Kingdom with her parents on 11 September. She completed her O-Levels at Marymount Girls School in London. Later, she pursued higher education in law at Queen Mary University of London. She then completed her Bar-at-Law from the prestigious institution ‘Inner Temple’ in the UK.
Although she had a happy childhood, her later life was filled with difficulties due to political reasons. Even in those hardships, under the invaluable love, affection, and guidance of her parents—Tarique Rahman and Zubaida Rahman—she grew into a strong, confident, and capable individual. Her years in London were challenging, but those very challenges strengthened her mind and inspired her future path. With her parents’ guidance, she transformed the difficult times of her life into strength, shaping herself into a promising personality of international calibre.
On 11 January 2025, BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman, Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, and Standing Committee Member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury were formally invited by the US Congress Committee organizing the ‘National Prayer Breakfast’. This event, held annually since 1953, is attended by world leaders.
Thus, as the representative of Tarique Rahman, his daughter Barrister Zayma Rahman attended the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States. The event took place on 5–6 February in Washington, D.C., following the official invitation from the US Congress.
Barrister Zayma Rahman also held an important meeting in Washington, DC with Rebecca Wagner, leader of the Women’s Fellowship Foundation, along with other members. The meeting, held on 7 February 2025, covered various aspects of Bangladesh–US relations, international cooperation, and global peace.
At that time, several BNP leaders remarked that through this participation, Zayma Rahman would represent the party on the international stage, which would brighten her political prospects even further. In the dialogues held on 5 and 6 February in Washington, she had opportunities to exchange views with global leaders—an experience extremely significant for her future.
Although Tarique Rahman could not attend the event due to the health condition of his mother, Khaleda Zia, his daughter Barrister Zayma Rahman joined the National Prayer Breakfast, marking her first step into political engagement.
BNP leaders believe that as a member of a political family, it is natural for her to enter politics, and in the future, she may play an important role in uniting the party. Senior leaders see in Zayma Rahman a reflection of Khaleda Zia. They have said, “If she enters politics, Bangladesh’s political landscape will become even stronger.”
Her participation in the important online meeting on 23 November 2025 has been taken very seriously by BNP members and various professional groups, who have continued congratulating her.
Netizens have praised her on Facebook with comments such as “She will uphold the reputation of the Zia family,” “Future guardian of BNP,” and “Worthy successor of Shaheed Zia.”
BNP’s Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has, despite conspiracies, obstacles, and adverse political circumstances, continued to lead the party from abroad and strengthened BNP as a major political force. He is not only preparing himself but also shaping his only daughter, Zayma Rahman, as a capable and promising leader who can represent the party internationally. His vision is to build Bangladesh as a developed, inclusive, and prosperous nation, a mission that he hopes Zayma Rahman will carry forward as a next-generation leader.
Zayma Rahman has received a rich international education in law and politics. Over time, she will establish herself as an influential figure both nationally and internationally. We firmly believe that one day Zayma Rahman will emerge as a leader of Bangladesh and guide the country toward prosperity, where public welfare will be the highest priority. Alongside this, she will play a leading role in building a safer world and safeguarding humanity.
Congratulations, respect, and best wishes to you, dear Zayma Rahman. May success and achievement follow your every step for the welfare of the people.
The writer is the joint editor at Kaler Kantho
