First day of month of mourning observed

The ruling Awami League and various socio-cultural organisations on Thursday observed the first day of the month of mourning by holding different progammes, recalling the most brutal assassination in the country’s history.
As part of a month-long programme, a torch procession (Moshal Michil) was brought out in the capital in the early hours of the day, which ended reaching at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi. Bangladesh Awami
Sechcha Sebak League (BASL) arranged the procession. In the morning, various socio-cultural organisations paid homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths on his portrait at Dhanmondi. Awami Jubo League arranged a month-long art exhibition at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy auditorium, marking the 44th martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader inaugurated the exhibition. Jubo League chairman Mohammad Omar Faruque and its general secretary Harunur Rashid, among others, spoke on the occasion. Press Information Department (PID) arranged a photo exhibition on Bangabandhu in front of the Secretariat Clinic Bhaban here, marking the mourning month of August.
Information Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud officially opened the photo exhibition, while State Minister for Information Dr Murad Hasan, Information Secretary Abdul Malek and Principal Information Officer (PIO) Surath Kumar Sarker were present. In the afternoon, Bangladesh Krishak League organised a blood donation programme and a tree fair in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi.
AL general secretary Obaidul Quader, its presidium members Matia Chowdhury and Dr Abdur Razzaque, publicity and publication secretary Dr Hasan Mahmud, organising secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, among others, spoke at the programme with Krishak League president Motahar Hossain Mollah in the chair.
Earlier in the day, Bangabandhu Parishad arranged a press conference at its Kalabagan central office here.
Former vice-chancellor of Dhaka University Prof Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, former secretary general of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Abdul Jalil Bhuiyan, Bangabandhu Parishad leader Mahbub Uddin Ahmed and journalist Ajit Kumar Sarkar, among others, spoke on the occasion.
The month of mourning began on Thursday for the nation to recall once again the most brutal assassination in its history and renew the pledge to safeguard the country’s independence and sovereignty.
The killing of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman 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 included Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, Bangabandhu’s brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and eminent journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and military secretary Colonel Jamil.
Bangabandhu’s two daughters – eldest daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana – escaped the planned assassination as they were visiting Germany at that time.