AL's 'black month' begins

The ruling Awami League has chalked out 40 days of programmes starting from yesterday to observe the National Mourning Day on August 15.

On August 15, 1975, Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with most of his family members were brutally assassinated at his Dhanmondi home by some disgruntled army officers.

Since then, the AL has been observing the month of August as the black month and August 15 as the black day.

AL and all its associated and likeminded bodies were scheduled to gather on Dhanmondi Road-32 at 12:01am today with lights in their hands to show respect to the Father of the Nation at his portrait there.

All the members of AL Central Working Committee, Advisory Council, and leaders of the party's different associated bodies and district units were scheduled to visit Bangabandhu's grave at Tungipara in Gopalganj.

They were scheduled to start the journey for Tungipara from AL General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam's official residence at 7:00am today. After reaching Tungipara, the AL leaders will place floral wreaths at the grave of Bangabandhu, pay homage and offer special prayers for the salvation of the departed souls of the country's architect and his family members.

Syed Ashraf would coordinate the programmes there, says AL Deputy Office Secretary Mrinal Kanti Das.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina would inaugurate Awami Krishak League's blood donation programme in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban in Dhanmondi and take part in a discussion there as the chief guest.

Usually Hasina, eldest and one of the two surviving daughters of Bangabandhu, spends some time alone at the Bangabandhu Bhaban, recites the Holy Quran and prays for her father, mother, brothers and near and dear ones she lost in 1975. She also fasts in this month.

The AL's 40 days of programmes have discussions, special prayers, and distribution of food among the destitute among others.

Syed Ashraf, also the minister for public administration, urged all the AL rank and file to observe the programmes in a befitting manner.