Besides the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, many other organisations have taken preparations to observe the National Mourning Day today in the capital as well as in other parts of the country.
In Dhaka, the Islamic Foundation has chalked out elaborate programmes to observe today, which also marks the 40th death anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The foundation’s programme will begin with milad mahfil, doa and Qur'an Khawani at Banani graveyard at 8am. Besides, special prayers will be offered at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque at 10am, according to a press release. A discussion on the life and works of Bangabandhu will be held at 11:30am at the foundation auditorium.
In Chittagong, the authorities of Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and district police have taken extra security measures to avert any untoward incident in observing the occasion, RAB and CMP sources said.
The educational institutions, different socio-cultural and professional bodies in the district have chalked out detailed programmes to observe the day.
The Chittagong district administration will organise various programmes including mourning procession in the morning with the participation of people from all walks of life, placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Shilphakala Academy at 10am, exhibition of the documentary on the life of Bangabandhu, and special prayers at religious institutions, as well as essay competition, poetry recitation and discussions. The national flag will be hoisted at half-mast atop all public and private buildings in the city.
Other organisations that will arrange separate programmes are the city units of Bangladesh Communist Party, Gono Forum, Chittagong Press Club and Chittagong Union of Journalists, Islamic Foundation, Shishu Academy, Press Information Department, Chittagong, Institution of Engineers, Chittagong centre, Civil Surgeon’s Office, Chittagong, Bangabandhu Parisad Chittagong, Sheikh Russel Smriti Parisad, Greater Chittagong Development Action Council, Projonmo 71 and Shaheed Smriti Pathagar, among others.
In Rangpur, Rangpur City Corporation (RCC) has chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the day, which include hoisting of the national flag at half-mast at the City Bhaban at sunrise, placing of floral wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Central Shaheed Minar and observance of one-minute silence at 9:30am, a procession from the City Bhaban, and a discussion on Bangabandhu at RCC auditorium.
A milad mahfil will also be arranged and special prayers will be offered for Bangabandhu and his family members.
Besides, the RCC authority will distribute foods among the poor and distressed people.
In Rajshahi, various political, socio-cultural and voluntary organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes to observe the National Mourning Day.
The programmes include hoisting of national flag at half-mast atop government, semi government, autonomous and private buildings, hoisting of black flags and wearing black badges, bringing out processions, observing one-minute silence and holding discussion and milad mahfil at Shilpakala Academy auditorium.
In addition, discussions highlighting the life and deeds of Bangabandhu will be arranged in all schools, colleges, madrashas and special milad mahfils and prayers will be offered at all religious institutions.
Improved meals will be served to inmates of Rajshahi Central Jail, orphanages, shishu paribars and homeless shelters.
Besides, painting competitions, essay writing, poem recitation and discussions will be arranged at Shishu Academy.
Similar programmes have been arranged in the districts of Natore, Naogaon, Chapainawabganj, Pabna, Sirajganj, Bogra and Jaypurhat in Rajshahi division.
In Gaibandha, discussion, doa and milad mahfil have been taking place for the past few days in observation of the National Mourning Day. Yesterday, a discussion was held on the premises of Badiakhali High School under Sadar upazila, arranged by Awami League’s Badiakhali union unit.
In Khulna, a two-day programme to observe the National Mourning Day begins today in the city and district, chalked out by Khulna district administration.
The programmes include poem recitation and art competition, which took place yesterday at Khulna Shishu Academy as well as a video show on the life of Bangabandhu.
Today, an essay competition on Bangabandhu and Liberation War, and Bangabandhu and Bangladesh, begins today among the school children at Khulna Zilla School.
National flags will fly at half mast in all government, semi-government, autonomous and private buildings today. Besides, there will be mourning processions, discussions, placing of wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu, screening of film show on life and works of Bangabandhu and special milad mahfils and prayers at all religious institutions.
Khulna district information office, Islamic Foundation, Khulna Betar, Khulna University, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, Khulna Press Club and other organisations have planned similar events as well.
