Sheikh Kamal’s 71st birth anniversary on Wednesday

The 71st birth anniversary of Shaheed Sheikh Kamal, the eldest son of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, will be observed on Wednesday.

Sheikh Kamal, one of the prominent organizers of the Liberation War and noted sports and cultural personality, was born at Tungipara village under the then Gopalganj subdivision on August 5, 1949.

Awami League and different sports and social-cultural organizations have taken elaborate programs to mark the day.

Awami League and its associate bodies will pay tributes to Sheikh Kamal by placing wreaths at his portrait on Dhanmondi Abahani Club premises at 9am and at his grave in Banani at 10am on the day.

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Later, the ruling party and its front organizations of Dhaka North and South city unit will arrange recitation from the holy Quran as well as milad and doa mahfil to observe the day.

After passing SSC from Shahin School and HSC from Dhaka College, Sheikh Kamal obtained a BA (honours) degree from the Social Science Department of Dhaka University.

He was one of the pioneers of modern football in Bangladesh and also founder-president of Abahani Krira Chakra.

Kamal, who was first trained on war course in Bangladesh, got commission in the liberation force and also became ADC to General Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani, commander-in-chief of Bangladesh Armed Forces during the Liberation War.

He was a former executive member of the central committee of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

Meanwhile, Abahani Club has drawn up a daylong program on its premises to mark the birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal.

Also Read- Sheikh Kamal through the eyes of Bangabandhu

The program includes paying tributes by placing wreaths at Sheikh Kamal’s portrait at 12:01am, daylong recitation from the holy Quran, virtual discussion and commemoration on his colorful life at 5pm and doa-mahfil at the club bhaban after the Asar prayers maintaining social distancing amid coronavirus pandemic.

To mark the day, Centre for Research and Information (CRI) has arranged a special webinar.

Also Read- ‘We would be playing at global stage if Sheikh Kamal was alive’

Valiant freedom fighter and dramatist Nasir Uddin Yousuf Bacchu, cultural personality M Hamid, noted sports organizer and Awami League Sports Secretary Harun-ur Rashid, senior sports journalist Aghor Mondol and senior photo-journalist Pavel Rahman will be present at the function as the discussants. Subash Singha Roy will moderate the program.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader urged all leaders and workers of the party and its associate and like-minded bodies to observe the birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal in a befitting manner following the health guidelines.

Sheikh Kamal embraced martyrdom on August 15, 1975, at the age of 26.