August is the month of mourning. This month has witnessed the worst killings and infernal grenade attacks in the history of Bangladesh. August 15 is the National Mourning Day. It is the day of mourning for the most heinous and brutal massacre in the history of human civilisation.
On this day in 1975, the great hero of the liberation movement of the Bengali nation, the great leader of the oppressed people of the world, the adored man of Bengal and Bengalis for thousands of years, the eternal source of Bengali inspiration and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was killed along with most of his family members.
In this most brutal murder of history, Bangabandhu's wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, only brother Sheikh Abu Naser, sons and heroic freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal and Lieutenant Sheikh Jamal, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, nephew liberation war organiser Sheikh Fazlul Haque Moni and his pregnant wife Begum Arju Moni, brother-in-law and liberation war organiser Abdur Rob Serniabat, Serniabat’s youngest daughter Baby Serniabat, youngest son Arif Serniabat, grandson Sukant Abdullah Babu and nephew Shahid Serniabat, Abdul Naeem Khan Rintu, Bangabandhu's Chief Security Officer Colonel Jamil Uddin Ahmed and other employees were brutally killed.
Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman inspired the entire Bengali nation with all his feelings, sacrifice, struggle, heroic leadership, indomitable desire, firm conviction, deep love for the Bengali nation, compassion, political foresight and ideals. The aspiration of the Bengali nation for independence moved toward the ultimate goal through the birth of Chhatra League on January 4, 1948 under the leadership of Bangabandhu, the movement against the declaration of Urdu as the state language in March 1948, the birth of the Awami League on June 23, 1949, the language movement of '52, the united front election of '54, '62 education movement, 6-point movement of '66, Agartala conspiracy case and 11-point movement of '68, mass uprising of '69 and landslide victory of the Awami League in the election of '70.
In the historic speech of Bangabandhu on March 7, 1971, the Bengali nation was united on the path of struggle for freedom. When Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared the independence of Bangladesh in the early hours of March 26, the armed liberation war began. Under Bangabandhu's time-honoured leadership, Bangladesh's independence was achieved through a bloody 9-month war of liberation sparked by a long 24-year struggle against Pakistani misrule.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the symbol of freedom and liberation of Bengalis. He is the founder of independent-sovereign Bangladesh. He is the greatest Bengali of all time and the dreamer of an advanced and prosperous 'Sonar Bangla'.
For 21 long years from 15 August 1975, the Bengali nation was forced to bear the stigma of impunity. The government formed under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the deserving daughter of the Father of the Nation, freed the Bengali nation from stigma by executing the killers in 2010 through a judicial process.
Bangabandhu said that war criminals will be tried on the soil of Bengal. Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina ignored all the conspiracies and other adversities to start the process of trial of the heinous war criminals.
The great leader of Bengalis Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is immortalised through his ideology, spirit and deeds. His indestructible spirit and ideology will continue to flow from generation to generation.
The father of the nation wanted to establish a society free from hunger and poverty without discrimination. Bangladesh has been established as a developing, dignified nation in the world community by overcoming hunger and poverty under the strong leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the worthy daughter of Bangabandhu who dreamed of the liberation of the people of Bangladesh. Worldwide Bangladesh has become a role model of development. The Bengali nation is gratefully celebrating the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman "Mujib Barsho".
In August, which is the month of mourning, the entire nation, the Bangladesh Awami League and its allies, fraternal and various socio-cultural-political organizations will observe the National Mourning Day through various programmes showing due dignity, respect and love for Bangabandhu.
The ruling Awami League will observe the 45th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Mourning Day on August 15 with due solemnity. As always, the Awami League, in solidarity with the bereaved Bengali nation, has undertaken various programmes centrally marking the National Mourning Day.
The Awami League has called upon all the leaders and activists of the party and all its allies, social, cultural and political organisations to observe various month-long mourning day programmes in compliance with proper hygiene rules to prevent the transmission of the coronavirus epidemic. At the same time, the leaders of all the organisational districts, metropolises, upazilas, municipalities, unions and wards of the Awami League have been requested to carry out programmes in line with the central programmes chalked out to observe the National Mourning Day.
Programmes on August 1
In observance of the month of mourning, the Awami League and Swechchhasebak League will take out a light procession from Dhanmodi 32 while Chhatra League will observe candle lighting programme on Bangabandhu Bhaban premises after the zero hour. Bangladesh Krishak League will carry out a blood donation and plasma collection programme and launch a month-long countrywide tree plantation campaign around 3pm. Dhaka South Unit of the Awami League organise a ‘dua mahfil’ after the Eid prayers seeking the salvation of the departed souls of the Bangabandhu and other August 15 victims.
August 5
The Awami League, its Dhaka South and North units and other associate bodies will pay respect of Sheikh Kamal and will hold ‘dua’ and ‘milad mahfil’ at Dhanmonti Abahani Club at 9am and at Banani graveyard at 10am marking his birthday. Food will be distributed among the poor and destitute from August 5 to 8.
August 6
Bangladesh Mohila Awami League will organise a virtual meeting marking the birthday of Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib.
August 8
The Awami League, its Dhaka South and North units and other associate bodies will pay respect to Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib and will organise ‘korankhani’, ‘milad’ and ‘dua mahfil’ at Banani graveyard at 10am to mark her birthday. Jubo Mohila League will light candles on the Bangabandhu Bhaban premises on the day.
August 9
Awami Matsyajibi League will organise a discussion meeting on the birth anniversary of Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib at 19 Bangabandhu Avenue.
August 11
Awami Swechchhasebak League will arrange a discussion meeting in observance of the month of mourning.
August 13
Awami Swechchhasebak League will begin a three-day photography exhibition on the Bangabandhu Museum premises at 3pm.
August 14
Awami Jubo League will organise Koran recitation programme and ‘dua mahfil’ at Banani graveyard mosque after Asr prayer.
August 15 (Awami League programmes)
The national and Awami League flags will be hoisted half-mast at Bangabandhu Bhaban, party central office and offices of units across the country at the time of sunrise. Wreaths will be placed at the portrait of the Bangabandhu on the Bangabandhu Bhaban premises in coordination with the programmes of the President and Prime Minister. Respect will be paid to the Bangabandhu while special prayers will be offered and ‘milad mahfil’ held at Tungipara at 10am with the participation of Awami League delegation. Similar programmes will be held at Banani graveyard at 10am to pay respect to other martyrs of 15 August. ‘Dua’ and ‘milad mahfil’ will be held after Juhr prayer at the mosques across the country while special prayers will be offered at other places of worship at convenient time. Food will be distributed among the insolvent, destitute and orphans. ‘Dua’ and ‘milad mahfil’ will be organised at Bangabandhu Bhaban at the initiative of Mohila Awami League after Asr.
August 17
Awami Swechchhasebak will hold human-chain programme demanding trial of the culprits involved in the series bomb attack across the country in 2005. Bangladesh Chhatra League will raise black flag and observe one-minute silence marking the serious bomb attack.
August 20
Awami Jubo League will hold a ‘dua mahfil’ for the salvation of the departed souls of the August 15 martyrs and will distribute food among the destitute.
August 21
The Awami League, its Dhaka South and North units and other associate bodies will observe programmes Awami League’s central office on Bangabandhu Avenue at 10am.
August 22
Bangladesh Tanti League and Mohila Awami League will organise virtual meetings. Chhatra League will arrange a virtual meeting marking the anniversary of August 21 grenade attack on Awami League rally.
August 24
The Awami League, its Dhaka South and North units and other associate bodies will pay respect to slain Awami League leader Ivy Rahman at Banani graveyard hold ‘dua’ and ‘milad mahfil’ for her.
August 25
Awami Jubo League will organise a virtual discussion meeting marking the month of mourning.
August 26
Jatiya Sramik League will hold a virtual discussion meeting titled ‘Bangabandhu and Bangladesh’ at 3:30pm marking the month of mourning. Mohila Awami League will arrange a similar discussion meeting.
August 28
Jubo Mohila League will arrange a discussion meeting in observance of the August 21 grenade attack.
August 29
Mohila Sramik League will hold a human-chain programme demanding brining the absconding convicts in the August 15 massacre and 21 grenade attack.
August 30
Awami League’s Dhaka South and North units will organise a discussion meeting.
August 31
Bangladesh Krishak League will arrange a discussion meeting. Chhatra League will hold a discussion to commemorate Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib and other August 15 martyrs.
Call of Obaidul Quader
Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader has called upon the leaders, activists and supports of the party, its associate bodies and socio-cultural organisations as well as the countrymen to observe the martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the National Mourning Day with due solemnity and in compliance with hygiene rules. He also urged the leaders of all units of the party, including the units at the district, metropolis, upazila, municipality, union and ward levels, to undertake programmes in line with the central programmes chalked out to observe the National Mourning Day.
