Mourning Day observed at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC

The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC has observed the National Mourning Day, commemorating the 48th martyrdom anniversary of Father of Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with due respect and solemnity.

The embassy arranged elaborate programmes at the Bangabandhu Auditorium to pay deep homage to Bangabandhu, the architect of independence.

The day's programmes began with the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag at half-mast in front of the Chancery by Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Muhammad Imran. Officials and employees of the mission were present on the occasion.

Later, the ambassador, accompanied by the officials, placed a wreath at the bust of Father of the Nation and observed a moment of silence for paying homage to Bangabandhu.

The messages issued by President Mohammed Shahabuddin, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam were read out by Minister (Economic) Md Mahedi Hasan, Minister (Commerce) Md Salim Reza, Counsellor and Head of Chancery Mohammad Moniruzzaman and Counsellor Shamima Yeasmin Smrite.

A documentary on the life and works of Bangabandhu was screened, which was followed by a discussion session.

Taking part in the discussion, Ambassador Muhammad Imran paid glowing tributes to the Father of the Nation and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.

He narrated Bangabandhu's dedication and 24-year struggle from the Language Movement to the Liberation War to achieve long-cherished independence of Bangladesh.

Ambassador Imran said responding to the call of Bangabandhu, freedom-loving Bangalees took up arms in 1971 and attained independence from Pakistan on December 16 under the leadership of Bangabandhu.

Terming August 15 as the most disgraceful chapter for the nation, the ambassador called upon all to transform grief of losing Bangabandhu into strength and to work unitedly to build a happy and prosperous "Sonar Bangla" (Golden Bengal) as dreamt by the Father of the Nation.

Ambassador Imran mentioned that Bangabandhu's able daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working relentlessly to complete the Father of the Nation's unfinished task of establishing Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous nation in the world.

He requested all to work from their respective positions to turn Bangladesh into a developed and prosperous "Smart Bangladesh" under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Taking part in the discussion, Minister (Consular) Mohammad Habibur Rahman focused on Bangabandhu's great dedication and long struggle for the country's independence.

He also highlighted Bangabandhu's various epoch-making steps to rebuild the war-ravaged nation.

Later, the ambassador handed over prizes among the winners of an essay competition organised by the embassy. A significant number of children of different age groups of Bangladeshi diasporas took part in the competition

The programmes ended with offering a special prayer seeking eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 massacre as well as all martyrs of Liberation War. First Secretary Md Ataur Rahman conducted the programmes.

The embassy earlier arranged a doa and special prayer at the Islamic Centre in Washington DC after Juma prayers on August 11 on the occasion of the 48th martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation.

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