Commemorating the 48th martyrdom anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and observing the National Mourning Day 2023, North South University (NSU) hosted a two-day program that concluded today. The event was graced by the presence of Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan, MP, the Hon’ble Minister of Home Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan expressed the profound impact of the tragedy, stating, “The wounds of losing the Father of the Nation will never heal. Even if you wash with all the water of the Bay of Bengal, this stain will not be erased”. He reminisced about his personal connection to Bangabandhu and his family, revealing, “I had the privilege of seeing Bangabandhu and his family up close. Unfortunately, I knew many of his killers. Bangabandhu did not believe that Bengalis could kill him”.
The two-day program featured an art exhibition, discussion meetings, and special prayers, organized by NSU. Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan attended as the Chief Guest, alongside Professor Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique, Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University and Chairman of Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS), who attended as a Special Guest, and Mrs. Yasmin Kamal, Member of NSU Board of Trustees, who honored us as the Guest of Honor.
The event commenced with the recitation of The Holy Quran and the national anthem, followed by a minute of silence as a tribute to the martyrs. Dr. Md Ahsanul Hadi, Associate Professor of the Department of Persian Language and Literature at Dhaka University, led a dedicated session of prayers for the peaceful repose of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and his family.
Highlighting the significance of the event, Professor Dr. AAMS Arefin Siddique stated, “The killers wanted to end his ideology by killing those who could have taken the country forward on the ideology of Bangabandhu”. He emphasized how Bangabandhu’s influence extended globally by connecting with the deprived populations of the world.
In a prerecorded video message, Mr. Javed Munir Ahmad, Chairman of the NSU Board of Trustees, underscored the debt owed to Bangabandhu and stressed that honoring his legacy through education is essential to pay homage to his sacrifice.
Mrs. Yasmin Kamal, in her address, lauded Bangladesh’s development on the global stage while urging remembrance of the sacrifices of Bangabandhu made for the nation’s progress.
Dr. M. Ismail Hossain, Professor of Department of Economics, delivered the welcome speech.
NSU Vice-Chancellor, Professor Atiqul Islam, reflected on Bangabandhu’s indispensable role in the birth of Bangladesh. He stated, “Without Bangabandhu, there would not have been this Bangladesh of today”.
The event also featured a quiz competition organized by the NSU Debate Club in honor of the National Mourning Day, with prizes awarded to the winners.
