The National Mourning Day was observed on Saturday with due solemnity, marking the 40th anniversary of assassination of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.Bangabandhu, the architect of Bangladesh’s independence, was assassinated along with all but two members of his family at the crack of dawn on August 15 in 1975.The national flag was flown at half-mast at all government, semi-government and autonomous offices, educational institutions, private buildings and Bangladesh missions abroad. It was a public holiday.In the morning, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina paid homage to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at the portrait of the great leader in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi road No. 32.Later, Sheikh Hasina along with her younger sister Sheikh Rehana went to Banani Graveyard and paid homage to her mother Bangamata Fazilatunnesa Mujib, her brothers Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell and other martyrs of the August 15 by placing wreaths and showering petals on their graves.Later, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina flew to Tungipara, Gopalganj and placed a wreath at the mazar of the Father of the Nation.The Prime Minister, cabinet members, party leaders and workers also joined a milad and doa mahfil on the mazar premises, arranged by the Cabinet Division and Gopalganj district administration.Meanwhile, a milad mahfil was held at Bangabhaban on the occasion which was attended by President Abdul Hamid after Asr prayers.Bangladesh Mahila Awami League arranged a milad and doa mahfil in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dahnmondi. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended the milad and doa mahfil held after Asr prayers.An all-religion prayer meeting organised by Sangbadik Samaj, a platform of journalists, was held at the Jatiya Press Club seeking salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members.Meanwhile, a portrait of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was installed at the Jatiya Press Club for the first time since the country’s independence recalling the contributions of Bangabandhu to building the club.Doa and milad mahfils were held at all mosques after Zohr prayers and special prayers were arranged in temples, pagodas, churches and other worship places across the country. Food was also distributed among poor and destitute people.Bangladesh missions abroad also observed the National Mourning Day in a befitting manner.Besides, Awami League will arrange a discussion at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at 4pm on Sunday. Sheikh Hasina will attend the programme as the chief guest.State-run Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations aired special programmes highlighting the life, struggle and achievements of the slain leader.
