‘Begum Khaleda Zia: Her Life, Her Story’ Preserved at UN Headquarters

A biographical book on former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the late Begum Khaleda Zia, has been officially inducted into the permanent collection of the United Nations Dag Hammarskjöld Library. Titled ‘Begum Khaleda Zia: Her Life, Her Story’ and authored by the late journalist Mahfuz Ullah, the publication marks the first instance of a book focusing on a Bangladeshi head of government being preserved at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The inclusion was formally facilitated by Golam Faruque Shaheen, Special Assistant to the Chairperson’s Foreign Affairs Advisory Committee of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), who presented the book to the library through his personal initiative. On December 5, 2022, Janine Picard, Gifts Librarian at the Dag Hammarskjöld Library, sent an official letter confirming its acceptance and stating, ‘The publication will serve as a valuable addition to the library’s repository,’ while expressing deep appreciation for Shaheen’s sincere contribution.

On September 25, 2026, Mr. Shaheen officially handed over the UN recognition document and acceptance letter to PM Tarique Rahman. The presentation took place in New York during a courtesy exchange with leaders of the US BNP following the conclusion of the UN General Assembly session. Accepting the document, PM Tarique Rahman expressed his sincere gratitude to Shaheen for his dedication and encouraged him to continue making meaningful contributions to the nation and the party.

Revealing details about the timeline, Mr. Shaheen explained that although the book was accepted by the UN Library in 2022, the achievement was intentionally kept confidential at the time due to severe political risks. Mr. Shaheen stated, ‘The prevailing political situation was extremely perilous, and disclosing the news back then risked severe retaliation, including the potential burning of my ancestral home’. During that period, diaspora leaders were actively campaigning in the United States demanding the release and proper medical treatment for Begum Khaleda Zia.

Set against the broader context of Bangladesh’s modern political history, the book offers a comprehensive account of Begum Khaleda Zia’s life, political career, and governance. By housing the work at 405 East 42nd Street in New York, the Dag Hammarskjöld Library ensures that the historic publication remains permanently accessible to international researchers, diplomats, and academic scholars studying South Asian politics and democratic movements.

Expressing his gratitude after presenting the letter to the PM, Mr. Shaheen emphasized the academic value of the donation for future generations. ‘I express my profound gratitude to Almighty Allah for the privilege of presenting the official certificate of late Begum Khaleda Zia’s book to her worthy son, current PM Tarique Rahman,’ Mr. Shaheen remarked, adding that researchers worldwide will find the book an essential resource for understanding Bangladesh’s political evolution.