Nation ready to observe National Mourning Day tomorrow

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DHAKA, Aug 14, 2019 (BSS) – The nation is set to observe the National
Mourning Day tomorrow, marking the 44th martyrdom anniversary of father of
the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members.

The killing of Bangabandhu and most of his family members on the fateful
night of August 15, 1975 is the ugliest chapter of the nation’s history.

The self-confessed killers of August 15 did not assassinate Bangabandhu
alone, but also killed 16 other members of his family, friends and relatives.

They include his wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh
Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal,
brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and eminent
journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and Colonel
Jamil.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, escaped
the planned assassination with her sister Sheikh Rehana as they were staying
overseas then.

The killing of Bangabandhu, the greatest son of the soil in thousand
years, descended a pall of gloom and spread a sense of deep sadness among the
people in the country and across the globe.

The world protested and condemned the killing, saying it is an irreparable
loss to millions of people of Bangladesh.

Like previous years, the government, Awami League and different political
and socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and professional
groups chalked out elaborate programmes to pay the utmost respect to the
greatest son of the soil on the day of his martyrdom.

The nation, however, started observing the month of mourning from August 1,
recalling the most brutal killing in its history and renewing the pledge to
safeguard perpetually the country’s independence and sovereignty.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate
messages on the eve of the Day.

The government drew elaborate programmes to observe the Day with due
respect and solemnity. As part of the programme, the national flag will fly
half-mast atop the offices of all government, semi-government and autonomous
bodies and educational institutions on the day.

In the morning, President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
will place wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Museum in the capital city at 6:30 am.

A smartly turned out contingent of the Armed Forces will give a guard of
honour to the portrait of the Bangabandhu. A special munajat and fateha also
will be offered there.

Later in the morning, Sheikh Hasina will place wreaths and offer fateha at
the Banani graveyard for the family members of the father of the nation and
others, who embraced martyrdom with Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975.

Following the president and the prime minister and other dignitaries,
people from all walks of life wearing black badges will throng the
Bangabandhu Memorial Museum to pay their profound homage to Father of the
Nation by placing wreaths at his portrait there.

In the morning, the prime minister will also place wreath at the mazar of
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

Fateha will be offered and the armed forces will again stage a guard of
honour there. A special milad mahfil and dua will be held there on the day.

In line with the national programme, different ministries and departments,
directorates and agencies will organise various programmes at their
respective institutions.

Similarly, all city corporations, district councils, municipalities and
union councils will organise different programmes to observe the day with due
respect and solemnity.

Bangladesh missions abroad will arrange discussions with hoisting the
national flag half-mast atop their respective offices.

Bangladesh Betar, Bangladesh Television, private TV channels and radio
stations will take special programmes in observance of the National Mourning
Day. National and regional newspapers will bring out special supplements on
the occasion.

Besides, specially designed posters will be displayed at educational
institutions and other public places, reminding the black chapter of the
country’s history.

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) has chalked out elaborate programmes to
observe the day.

As part of the programmes, the national and party flags will fly half-mast
atop the all offices of Awami League and Bangabandhu Bhaban on the day.

In the morning, the party leaders will place wreaths at the portrait of
Bangabandhu in front of Bangabandhu Museum in the capital city at 6:30 am.

Later, the party leaders will place wreaths and offer fateha at the Banani
graveyard for the family members of the Father of the Nation and others, who
embraced martyrdom with Bangabandhu on August 15, 1975.

A delegation of the Awami League central executive committee, including AL
Presidium Members Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, Kazi Zafar Ullah and Muhammad
Faruk Khan, executive member Abul Hasnat Abdullha, joint general secretaries
Jahangir Kabir Nanak and Abdur Rahman, agriculture and cooperative secretary
Faridunnahar Laily and information and research secretary Advocate Afzal
Hossain, among others, will join the programmes in Tungipara on August 15.

The programmes include placing of wreaths at the shrine of Bangabandhu and
offering fateha there.

The ruling party leaders will distribute foods among the poor, distressed
and orphans in the afternoon.

Besides, Mohila Awami League will arrange a milad and doa mahfil in front
of Bangabandhu Bhaban after Asr prayers.

On August 16, a discussion will be held at Bangabandhu International
Conference Centre at 4 pm with AL President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
in the chair.

The district and upazila administrations will observe the day through doa
mahfil and discussions in line with the national programmes.

Different institutions, socio-cultural organisations and people from all
walks of life will place wreaths at Tungipara and at the portrait of
Bangabandhu at Road no-32, Dhanmondi, and will hold doa mahfils and
discussions there.

The different organisations and directorates under the Information Ministry
will also hold different programmes.

Bangladesh Television has taken initiatives to read out the Bangabandhu’s
books – “Osomapto Atmajibani” and “Karagarer Rojnamcha”.

On the day of national mourning, special prayers will be offered at all
mosques across the country seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of
Bangabandhu and his deceased family members.

Besides, special prayers will also be offered at all temples and places of
worships of other religions.