State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin spoke as the chief guest a doa and iftar mahfil organised by the city unit of JASAS at the District Council building in Chattogram city on Friday. Photo: BSS

DHAKA, Mar 14, 2026 (BSS) – State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammed Helal Uddin has said leaders and activists of Jatiotabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (JASAS) must play a leading role in protecting the country’s independence and sovereignty and strengthening the nationalist spirit.

Mir Helal, also BNP central assistant organizing secretary, said this while addressing as the chief guest a doa and iftar mahfil organised by the city unit of JASAS at the District Council building in Chattogram city on Friday.

A special prayer was arranged at the programme seeking eternal peace for the departed soul of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and the wellbeing of the party’s leaders and activists.

Mir Helal said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had founded JASAS with the objective of protecting Bangladesh’s own culture and sovereignty.

He said JASAS must become more organised to resist the aggression that a certain vested group had carried out against the country’s indigenous culture over the past 17 years.

The State Minister further warned that if the true nationalist spirit is not awakened, fascist and hegemonic forces may again attempt to obstruct the path of democracy.

With Convener of Chattogram City JASAS Lion M A Musa Bablul in the chair, Member of Parliament from Chattogram-9 constituency Abu Sufian was present as the main speaker.

Artists and cultural personalities of JASAS, along with a large number of leaders and activists of its associate bodies, took part in the doa and iftar mahfil.

Special prayers were offered for the prosperity of the country and the nation and for the devoted leaders and activists engaged in the movement to restore democracy.