Shah J. Choudhury, New York
The Bangladesh Liberation War Veterans 1971, USA Inc., an organization of Bangladeshi freedom fighters living in the United States, observed the death anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day with due solemnity and respect.
A discussion meeting and special prayer gathering were held at an auditorium in Jackson Heights, New York, to commemorate Bangabandhu and honor the martyrs of Bangladesh’s Liberation War and democratic movements.
The program began with the placing of floral wreaths at a portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of Bangladesh. Participants then observed one minute of silence in memory of those who sacrificed their lives during the Liberation War and various democratic movements. The national anthems of Bangladesh and the United States were also performed.
A special prayer and munajat seeking the eternal peace and forgiveness of the departed souls were led by T. Molla.
The program was presided over by Freedom Fighter Golam Mostofa Khan Miraj, president of Bangladesh Liberation War Veterans 1971, USA Inc., and moderated by Dr. Selina Afreen Rita. Welcome remarks were delivered by the organization’s General Secretary, Freedom Fighter Faruk Hossain.
Among those who spoke at the discussion were veteran journalist Muhammad Fazlur Rahman, freedom fighters Daud Bhuiyan, Shawkat Akbar Ritchie, writer, artist and freedom fighter Tajul Imam, freedom fighter Saidur Rahman, former president of the Swechchhasebak League Nuruzzaman Sardar, journalist Shaban Mahmud, U.S. Awami League leader Mohammad Ali Siddique, Akhtar Hossain, Zakir Hossain Hiru Bhuiyan, and writer Obaidullah Mamun, among others.
Children’s writer and poet Humayun Kabir Dhali and poet Hasan Al Abdullah recited poems during the program.
In his presidential remarks, Freedom Fighter Golam Mostofa Khan Miraj recalled Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s historic and unforgettable contributions to the Bengali language movement, the struggle for autonomy and rights, and the formulation and implementation of the historic Six-Point Movement.
Other speakers emphasized that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is inseparable from the history of Bangladesh, and that the country’s history cannot be fully understood without acknowledging his leadership and contribution to the independence struggle.
The speakers also called upon freedom fighters and all forces committed to the ideals of Bangladesh’s Liberation War to remain united in preserving the spirit of independence and the values for which millions sacrificed their lives.
A large number of freedom fighters, community leaders, political and social activists, journalists, writers, artists, and distinguished members of the Bangladeshi-American community attended the event.
The solemn gathering in New York served not only as a tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman but also as a reaffirmation of the diaspora community’s commitment to remembering Bangladesh’s Liberation War and passing its history and values on to future generations.
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