The country is observing the National Mourning Day, marking the 45th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family members were brutally killed by some disgruntled army men on the fateful night of August 15, 1975 and this carnage is considered as the ugliest chapter of the nation’s history.

The self-confessed killers of August 15 did not assassinate Bangabandhu alone, but also killed 16 other members of his family, friends and relatives.

The martyrs included Bangabandhu’s wife Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib, his sons Sheikh Kamal, Sheikh Jamal and Sheikh Russell, daughters-in-law Sultana Kamal and Rosy Jamal, brother Sheikh Naser, brother-in-law Abdur Rab Serniabat, nephew and eminent journalist Sheikh Fazlul Huq Moni, his pregnant wife Arzoo Moni and Colonel Jamil.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the eldest daughter of Bangabandhu, escaped the planned assassination with her sister Sheikh Rehana as they were staying overseas then.

The killing of Bangabandhu, the greatest son of the soil in thousand years, descended a pall of gloom and spread a sense of deep sadness among the people in the country and across the globe.

The world protested and condemned the killing, saying it is an irreparable loss to millions of people of Bangladesh.

Like previous years, the government, Awami League and different political and socio-cultural organisations, educational institutions and professional groups have arranged elaborate programmes to pay the utmost respect to the greatest son of the soil.

The nation, however, started observing the month of mourning from August 1, recalling the most brutal killing in its history and renewing the pledge to safeguard perpetually the country’s independence and sovereignty.

The government has drawn elaborate programmes to observe the Day with due respect and solemnity.

As part of the programme, the national flags are hoisted half-mast atop the buildings of all government, semi-government, autonomous, educational institutions and private offices.

Wreaths are being placed at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in the city and a munajat offered seeking eternal peace of the departed soul.

Wreaths were also placed at the graves of Bangabandhu’s martyred family members and other martyrs of August 15, 1975 at Banani Graveyard in the city while fateha and munajat offered at 7.30 am.

Wreaths are laid at the Mazar of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Tungipara in Gopalganj district. Fateha and special doa are being offered there.

To mark the National Mourning Day, special munajats are taking place at all mosques across the country. All temples, churches, pagodas and other places of worship are also seeing prayers.

Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television are airing special programmes in observance of the National Mourning day. National newspapers and magazines have published special supplements on the occasion.

The ruling AL has drawn up an elaborate programme centrally to observe the National Mourning Day tomorrow to pay glowing tributes to Bangabandhu and other martyrs of August 15 massacre and take a pledge to work for nation building following the ideology of the father of the nation.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader on Thursday called upon the party leaders and workers to observe the programmes in a befitting manner maintaining the health guidelines.

He also urged all progressive political, socio-cultural organizations and the people to observe the National Mourning Day with due respect in the Mujib Year, the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.