The 45th martyrdom anniversary of former President Ziaur Rahman, the proclaimer of independence, a sector commander during the Liberation War, founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and a pioneer of multi-party democracy in Bangladesh, will be observed tomorrow across the country.
Ziaur Rahman was assassinated on May 30, 1981, at the Chattogram Circuit House by a group of disgruntled army officers in what BNP described as a domestic and international conspiracy.
To mark the anniversary, BNP has announced an eight-day programme from May 25 to June 1.
As part of the observance, special posters are being displayed nationwide and party leaders and activists are wearing black badges throughout the programme period. Special supplements are also being published in newspapers and online news portals.
According to the schedule announced by the party, national and party flags will be kept at half-mast while black flags will be hoisted at BNP’s central office in Naya Paltan and at party offices across the country from 6:00am tomorrow.
At 11:00am, BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will lead senior party leaders and activists in placing wreaths and offering prayers at the grave of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.
Following the visit, a doa mahfil organised by Jatiyatabadi Olama Dal will be held at the grave premises.
The party will also distribute clothes and food items, including rice and lentils, among poor and underprivileged people in different thana areas of Dhaka North and South, as well as in districts and other organisational units across the country.
In districts, metropolitan areas and other regional units, similar programmes including discussions, prayer gatherings and distribution of food and clothing among the poor will be arranged subject to local convenience.
On Sunday at 2:00pm, BNP will hold a discussion meeting at the auditorium of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Ramna, Dhaka.
Ziaur Rahman, who commanded Z Force during the Liberation War, founded BNP, which later emerged as one of the country’s major political parties. He is widely credited with introducing multi-party democracy in Bangladesh and is also regarded as one of the architects of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
BNP said the day would be observed not only by the party and its associate bodies but also by people from different walks of life across the country.
