Historic 7th March Day observed in Lisbon on 7 March 2023

 

Press Release


Lisbon, Monday, 07 March 2023

Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon observed the “Historic 7th March” in a befitting manner with commemoration of the iconic speech of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered on 7th March 1971. The event was participated by the officials of the Embassy of Bangladesh as well as members of Bangladesh expatriate community.

The programme began with the placing of floral wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by the Ambassador along with officials of the Embassy. Later, messages from the President and the Prime Minister, released on the occasion, were read out by the officials of the Mission. 

At the discussion segment of the programme, the speakers highlighted the significance of the historic speech in the nation's history. In the concluding remarks, Ambassador Tarik Ahsan paid deep homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Giving a background, he said that Bangabandhu decided to deliver the speech on 7th March 1971, when Pakistani rulers postponed the first session of the Assembly and it became clear that the rulers would never peacefully hand over power to Bangalees, who won a landslide vicory in the election of 1970. The speech delivered before an audience of a million people shaped the destiny of Bangladesh and her people. Through the historic 7th March speech, Bangabandhu called upon the people to prepare themselves for the War of Liberation, as all democratic endeavours for achieving rights of Bangalees were being exhausted. He remarked that the charisma of Bangabandhu’s undisputed leadership and the overwhelming response from the people as seen during the 7th March speech are rare in the world history. This is what prompted UNESCO to include the speech in the ‘Memory of the World Register’ as a documentary heritage of humankind. The Ambassador urged everyone to work toward accelerating the forward journey of Bangladesh’s development under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, being imbued with the spirit of 7th March speech and overcoming all impediments through unity and determination.

A video documentary on the “Historic 7th March” was screened after the discussion session.

A special prayer was offered for salvation of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the martyred members of his family, martyrs and valiant freedom fighters of the War of Liberation, and for the peace, progress and prosperity of Bangladesh.

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