Opposition BNP has chalked out a five-day programme to celebrate the 77th birth anniversary of party founder and slain President Ziaur Rahman today in a befitting manner.
This day in 1936, Ziaur Rahman was born at Bagbari in Gabtoli upazila of Bogra. The military ruler who later opted for elective multiparty democracy was assassinated by a cabal of disgruntled army officers on May 30, 1981 in Chittagong.
BNP joint secretary-general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the birthday programme at a press briefing at the party’s central office at Nayapaltan here in the afternoon.
The party’s associate bodies and other organisations have also planned to hold different programmes, including discussion, art competition and blood donation, to mark the day.
The Doctors Association of Bangladesh arranges a blood-donation programme today while Jatiyatabadi Samajik Sangskritik Sangstha (Jasas) held an art competition for children on Zia’s mazar premises Friday.
On the eve of his birthday, ex-premier and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia, also the widow of Ziaur Rahman, issued a message.
“President Ziaur Rahman has ensured people’s individual rights through establishing multiparty democracy in the country. He introduced politics of production,” it reads.
As part of the central programme, Khaleda along with her party’s leaders will pay homage to him by placing a wreath at his majar at Sher-e-Banglanagar in the capital this (Saturday) morning.
Later, they will offer fateha at the majar to seek eternal peace for the deceased. On the majar premises, BNP will also arrange a doa mahfil today.
The party will hold a discussion on “works and life of Ziaur Rahman” at Mohanagar Natya Mancha here in the afternoon.
The national and the party flags will be flown atop of all BNP offices across the country to mark the day. Newspapers will publish special supplements on the occasion.
Source: The Daily Sun
