DHAKA: The National Mourning Day, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Bangabandhu’s tragic assassination, was observed across the country on Saturday.
President Advocate Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid their rich tributes to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 40th martyrdom anniversary placing wreaths separately at his portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at 6:33 am.
They stood in solemn silence as the army bugle played the last post. Cabinet members, chiefs of the three services and senior civil and military officials were also present.
Fateha and special munajat were offered seeking salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his dear ones lost this day in 1975 in one of the bloodiest coups in the world.
The national and party flags were lowered at half-mast and hoisted black flags at Bangabandhu Bhaban, party's central office and its offices across the country from dawn to dusk marking the mourning day.
The PM placed wreaths at the graves of the martyrs of August 15 carnage at Banani graveyard in city at 7:30am.
Ruling Awami League (AL) also chalked out nationwide programmes to mark the day.
Along with the ruling party, different political parties, and student and socio-cultural organizations also arranged programs to mourn for the architect of the country’s independence and most of his family members.
The ruling party has been carrying out its 40-day programs from August 1 to mark the day.
A program was also arranged at the grave of Bangabandhu at Tungipara in Gopalganj at 10:00am.
Doa and milad mahfils were organized at mosques after Zohr prayers and special prayers were offered at all the places of worships including temples, pagodas and churches.
Food was distributed among the destitute and poor people while Mahila Awami League organized a doa and milad mahfil at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum after Asr prayers.
The day is a public holiday.
Bangabandhu was assassinated in a military putsch on August 15 in 1975, along with most of his family members. The predawn attacks left a total of 24 people killed.
The victims also include Bangabandhu’s wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and nine-year-old Sheikh Russel, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Parveen Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, nephew Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni and his wife Begum Arju Moni, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, 13-year-old Baby Serniabat, Serniabat’s son Arif and four-year-old grandson Babu, three guests, Bangabandhu’s four domestic helps, and his security chief Colonel Jamil Uddin Ahmed.
Bangabandhu’s two daughters -- Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana -- could escape the bloodbath as they were abroad at that time.
BDST: 2020 HRS, AUG 15, 2015
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