Dhaka: The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has unveiled an eight-day programme from May 26 to June 2 to commemorate the 44th martyrdom anniversary of its founder, Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman. BNP's Senior Joint Secretary General, Ruhul Kabir Rizvi Ahmed, announced the initiative at a press conference following a joint meeting with the party and its affiliate organizations. The meeting was held at the party chairperson's Gulshan office and virtually presided over by BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, currently in Bangkok for eye treatment.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the programme includes multiple activities such as a discussion meeting and the distribution of rice, pulses, and clothes to the needy on May 30 at 10:30 am. The party will also hoist its flag half-mast at its central office in Naya Paltan, the Chairperson's office in Gulshan, and other party offices nationwide. Furthermore, black flags will be raised at these locations as part of the commemoration.
Additionally, BNP and its affiliated organizations plan to publish posters about Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and release special supplements in various national dailies. A discussion will be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh auditorium in Ramna at 3:00 pm on May 29. On May 30, a tribute will be paid to Ziaur Rahman's grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar at 10:30 am, and mass prayers will be organized in mosques and other religious centers across the country.
Food and clothing distribution to the needy will be conducted in various regions under the initiative of the Dhaka Metropolitan North-South units of the party. District and upazila-thana-municipal units across the country will also organize similar activities in memory of Ziaur Rahman, including discussion meetings and aid distribution.
Ziaur Rahman rose to prominence after the political shift on August 15, 1975, becoming the chief of the Bangladesh Army. He was appointed Chief Martial Law Administrator on November 19, 1976, and later assumed the presidency on April 21, 1977. In 1978, he became the first directly elected president of Bangladesh. His life was cut short on May 30, 1981, when he was assassinated by disgruntled army personnel in Chittagong, and BNP has since observed the day as 'Martyrdom Day of Ziaur Rahman'.
BNP Joint Secretaries General Khairul Kabir Khokon, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, and Abdus Salam Azad, along with Publicity Secretary Sultan Salahuddin Tuku and other leaders, were present at the joint meeting.