The Bangladesh embassy in Doha yesterday observed National Mourning Day, marking the 43rd death anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, with due reverence and solemnity.
“On this day in 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, along with most of his family members, was killed at his Dhanmondi residence by a group of disgruntled soldiers in one of the bloodiest assassinations ever,” the embassy said in a statement yesterday.
In the morning, the programme started with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast by ambassador Ashud Ahmed on the embassy premises. Present on the occasion were embassy officials and community members.
Ahmed, along with the officials, then paid homage by placing floral wreaths at a portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
This was followed by a discussion meeting on the life and works of the Father of the Nation, which started with recitation from the Holy Qur’an. A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect to the Father of the Nation and the martyrs of August 15, 1975.
In the meeting, messages from the Bangladesh president, prime minister, foreign minister and state minister for foreign affairs on the National Mourning Day were read out.
In his speech, ambassador Ahmed recalled the heroic leadership role played by Bangabandhu in the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent country. He mentioned that August 15 is the darkest chapter in the history of Bangladesh.
He also stressed that “as a nation, we must learn a lesson here – our mourning should be turned into our strength and we should work hard to fulfil the dream of the Father of the Nation.”
He thanked expatriate Bangladeshis in Qatar for their hard work and contribution to nation-building towards fulfilling the dream of Bangabandhu and for demonstration of unity, fraternity and a liberal and moderate attitude.
At the end of the day’s programme, a Doa and Milad Mahfil was offered seeking the eternal peace of Bangabandhu, martyrs of August 15 and also for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh. The reading of the Holy Qur’an for Khatme Qur’an by a group of maulanas was also performed on the occasion.
A documentary on the life and works of Bangabandhu was screened during the event.
Ambassador Ashud Ahmed and embassy officials paying homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman yesterday.
