For 18 long years, Fatima held Begum Zia close, sacrificing her own life. And while protecting and caring for Begum Zia, she could not properly look after her own two children during those 18 years.
She sacrificed the love and affection of her son and daughter. Fatima cried silently night after night in Dhaka, while her son Rifat and daughter Rima cried in the village at their maternal grandparents’ house.
This is an indescribable love. Fatima had nothing to say — she simply wept endlessly for her children, yet she could never leave Begum Zia to go to her village home in Shah Madar village, Kanchia Union, Sadar Upazila, Bhola district.
Begum Zia would urge Fatima to go to her village for Eid, but Fatima never went — because at that time there was no one else in the house to look after Begum Zia.
Crushing all her dreams, placing a stone on her chest, trampling all her desires underfoot — Fatima never left Begum Zia to go anywhere. This is what true devotion and love for one’s master looks like.
When Begum Zia passed away on December 30, 2025, Leader Tarique Rahman told Fatima:
“Take some money from me and go to your village, do something, start some work there.”
Fatima replied:
“I don’t need any money. For 18 years I served Begum Zia as a domestic help. I want to continue staying in this house in the same way.”
Hearing these words from Fatima, Leader Tarique Rahman wept uncontrollably.
Indeed, Fatima spoke the truth — because when I was living in London with my family, in that house there was only Mother and Fatima. And from Fatima’s body, I smell the scent of my mother.
At that moment, Leader Tarique Rahman legally accepted Fatima as his own sister and as the daughter of the martyred President Ziaur Rahman.
The house where Fatima worked as a domestic helper for 18 years — today Fatima has become the owner of that very house.
This is the divine play (Leela) of Allah.
My prayers remain for the entire Zia family — may Allah keep them all in His protection and well-being.
Robiul Islam Raj : Film Director