Observed the 47th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day


Press Release

Lisbon, Monday, 15 August 2022

Bangladesh Embassy in Lisbon observed the 47th Anniversary of the Martyrdom of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and National Mourning Day on 15 August 2022 with due solemnity. Appropriate posters and banners in line with spirit of the mourning day had been put up at the Embassy premises while the audience participated in the programme in black and white attire and wearing black badges.


The day’s programme started with the ceremonial hoisting of the national flag at half-mast by the Ambassador Tarik Ahsan at the Chancery in presence of Embassy officials in the morning. A photo exhibition titled “Life and legacy of Bangabandhu in Photography” showcasing the unforgettable events of this charismatic leader was organised at the Embassy’s exhibition hall.

A commemorative programme was also organized on this occasion in the evening. Members of Bangladesh diaspora, political parties, students, media personnel and Embassy officials attended the programme. The programme started with the placing of floral wreaths by the Ambassador and other officials of the Embassy, members of different social and political organizations and Bangladeshi expatriates at the mural portrait of the Father of the Nation near main entrance of the Chancery. Observance of one-minute silence was held to pay tribute to Bangabandhu, his family members and other who were martyred on the dreadful 15 August 1975. Messages on the occasion given by the Hon’ble President, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Hon’ble Foreign Minister and the Hon’ble State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out. Afterwards a discussion session was held on the occasion of National Mourning Day where the speakers highlighted the life-long struggle of Bangabandhu for the rights of Bangalee nation and strongly condemned the brutal assassination of the Father of the Nation and his family members on 15 August 1975.

At the outset of his speech, the Ambassador paid rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family members who were martyred in a deep-rooted conspiracy of the anti-liberation forces. The assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was not meant only to kill the Father of the Nation physically but also for eliminating the ideology of Bangabandhu and the spirit of our liberation. But killers could not wipe out the shining image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his principles from the minds of millions of Bangalees of our country; nor could they extinguish the eternal flame of the spirit of the liberation, the ambassador added. He urged the members of Bangladesh diaspora to work together to tackle the conspiracy against Bangladesh and emphasized the necessity of working together under the able leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to realize the dream of ‘Sonar Bangla’ of the Father of the Nation. He particularly called upon the expatriates to send their remittance to Bangladesh in legal channels in order to play a part in addressing the economic challenges posed by aftermath of covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine.

Two video documentaries on the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the head of state and government in post liberated Bangladesh and on the martyrdom of the Father of Nation and his family members were screened after the discussion session. A brief cultural segment dedicated to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also followed. Poems on the martyrdom of the Father of Nation was recited at this segment.

Finally, a special prayer was offered seeking divine blessings for the peace of the souls of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, all other the martyred members of his family as well as for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country.