Awami League holds August 15 commemorative discussion and prayer session in New Zealand

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Bangladesh Awami League New Zealand Incorporated organised a discussion and prayer programme on Saturday evening to commemorate August 15 with due respect and solemnity.

The event was chaired by the organisation’s president, Kazi Ahsan Hayat Setu. Bangladesh Awami League President and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina joined the programme virtually as the chief guest. She spoke by telephone with party leaders and expatriate Bangladeshis for around 20 minutes and enquired about their wellbeing.

Awami League media spokesperson and barrister and solicitor Nijhum Majumder addressed the programme as a special guest. New Zealand academic Professor Dr Zahir Ahmed and community figure Rana Chakma were also present.

The event was attended by the organisation’s General Secretary Sarwar Jahan Babu, Joint General Secretary Wahida Afrin Anannya, Organising Secretary Russel Rana and Cultural Secretary JP Talash, among others.

Abdul Al Tuhin, Aminul Haque, Nazmul Karim, Durjoy Ravi, Tanzir, Faiz Ibn Abbas, Suman Basunia, Mohammad Moslem Uddin and Shafiqul Islam were also involved in organising and managing the event.

Ashraful Alam and Saynin Mim conducted and presented the programme. Organisers said Awami League leaders and activists, supporters and expatriate Bangladeshis from different parts of New Zealand who believe in the ideals of Bangabandhu and the spirit of the Liberation War attended the event. They said more than 200 people were present.

During the discussion, speakers paid deep tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and those martyred on August 15. They stressed the importance of presenting Bangabandhu’s political ideals, the spirit of the Liberation War, and Bangladesh’s history and values to the younger generation.

Awami League activists Ranju Ahmed, Shahina Mannan and Zahid Zaman Himel, among others, addressed the programme. Recalling Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the August 15 victims, they expressed their commitment to working together to build the Bangladesh envisioned by Bangabandhu while upholding the spirit of the Liberation War.

The programme concluded with a special prayer seeking forgiveness for the souls of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatun Nesa Mujib and others killed on August 15.

The organisers expressed gratitude to the guests, speakers, leaders, activists, supporters and well-wishers who attended the event.