President, PM, Khaleda mourn Mandela

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and opposition leader Khaleda Zia today expressed deep shock at the death of South Africa’s first black president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela.

In a message of condolence, Abdul Hamid termed him a towering figure in the world arena and said through the death the world lost one of its most influential and courageous figures.

Abdul Hamid said that Mandela will be remembered forever for his long struggle for the emancipation of the people.

“On behalf of the people of Bangladesh, I extend my condolence to Nelson Mandela’s family and to the people of South Africa,” the president added.

In a separate message, the prime minister dubbed Mandela as one of mankind's greatest liberators and said humanity has lost a tireless fighter for peace, freedom and equality in his death.

"Many around the world were influenced by his selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom. He touched our lives deeply in personal ways," she said.

The Prime Minister recalled Mandela's visit to Bangladesh along with late Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and Turkish President Suleman Demirel in 1997 marking the celebration of 25th anniversary of Bangladesh's independence.

Hasina prayed for salvation of the departed soul of the great leader and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in another condolence message said, “It’s with the deepest sense of shock and sadness that we have learned of the demise of Madiba Nelson Rolihlala Dalibhunga Mandela.”

Recalling his lifelong struggle for equality, she said, “In life, Nelson Mandela embodied immeasurable courage and conviction in his pursuit of human dignity and equality among man of all colour, faith and creed.”

At this death, the world has lost a great statesman, an Icon who chose reconciliation over revenge and a global symbol of triumph over adversity, Khaleda observed.

Recalling her meeting with Nelson Mandela during his visit to Bangladesh as president of South Africa, the former Bangladesh premier said, “I shall long cherish the memory of that occasion.”

“At this moment of their grief, we pray to the Almighty that He grants his family and the people of South Africa the strength and fortitude required to bear this irreparable loss. We also pray that Madiba finds his rightful place among God’s chosen ones.”

Nelson Mandela, who became one of the world’s most beloved statesmen and a colossus of the 20th century when he emerged from 27 years in prison to negotiate an end to white minority rule in South Africa, died at the age of 95.

South African President Jacob Zuma made the announcement at a news conference late Thursday (Local time), saying “We’ve lost our greatest son.”