Ziaur Rahman

Lieutenant General Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, (Bengali: জিয়াউর রহমান (Ziaur Rôhman)) (January 19, 1936 – May 30, 1981) was a hero of the Bangladesh Liberation War, a retired three star Lieutenant General of the Bangladesh Army and a statesman. He was the 7th President of Bangladesh from 1977 until 1981. He founded the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), one of the two largest political parties in the country. He is popularly known as Shaheed President Zia, meaning martyred Zia, in reference to his assassination in 1981.

Quotes

 * This is Shadhin Bangla Betar Kendro. I, Major Ziaur Rahman, on behalf of Bangobondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, hereby declare that the independent People's Republic of Bangladesh has been established. I have taken command as the temporary Head of the Republic. I call upon all Bengalis to rise against the attack by the West Pakistani Army. We shall fight to the last to free our Motherland. By the grace of Allah, victory is ours. Joy Bangla.
 * Declaration of Independence of Bangladesh on March 27, 1971 at 7:45 PM.


 * Do you think I wish to hang Taher? Well, I don’t. But the Law of the Land should carry its Course. And he (Colonel Abu Taher) did not send any Mercy Petition and so what is there for me to do?
 * During a conversation with Mir Shawkat Ali Khan on the night of Colonel Abu Taher's execution.


 * We must not be beggars. Why should we beg? We have something to offer.
 * During an interview with The New York Times reporter, Kevin Rafferty in October 1976.


 * To the Non-Proliferation Treaty, was based on a firm conviction that there can be peace only through the elimination of all nuclear weapons, moved towards the limitation of nuclear armaments and other weapons of mass destruction, are important steps in creating an atmosphere of trust and the relaxation of tensions.
 * Ziaur Rahman's speech in the United Nations Security Council.


 * Eventually an effective political ideology cannot be based on any certain religion. Religion can offer some contribution, but an entire political activism cannot be oriented in accordance with religion. Political history of this region has the example of religion-based politics attempted during Pakistan era and it failed. Not only in Islam, people in other religions of many regions try to keep on politics based on religion. It's not right. It's important and it should be remembered.
 * After the formation of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Zia took initiative for formation of political institutes and sponsored workshops for the youth to get active political lessons on Bangladeshi nationalism.


 * I did not capture power. I was made to assume power.
 * Ziaur Rahman's speech during a press conference.

Quotes about Zia

 * The United States -- indeed the world -- had come to respect President Zia's profound and compassionate commitment to a better life for his people and his dedication to the rule of law. His wisdom in international affairs will be sorely missed.
 * Ronald Reagan, 40th President of the United States of America,


 * It's hard to imagine what would have happened to Bangladesh had Ziaur Rahman been assassinated in 1975 instead of 1981. A failed state on the model of Afghanistan or Liberia might well have resulted. Zia saved Bangladesh from that fate.
 * William Bryant Milam, Former United States Ambassador to Bangladesh.