The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has unveiled an eight-day programme to observe the 44th death anniversary of its founder and former president, Ziaur Rahman, on May 30.
BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced the programme on Tuesday following a coordination meeting with party leaders and representatives of affiliated bodies at the BNP Chairperson’s office in Gulshan. Party Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir presided over the meeting virtually from a hospital in Bangkok, where he is recovering from recent eye surgery.
The observance will begin on May 25 and conclude on June 2, shortened this year in light of Eid-ul-Azha, which falls on June 7.
On May 30, the main day of commemoration, black flags will be hoisted and BNP flags will be lowered to half-mast at all party offices, including the central office in Nayapaltan, starting at 6:00 AM. Later that morning, party leaders and supporters will gather at Ziaur Rahman’s grave in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar to lay wreaths, offer prayers, and attend a doa and milad mahfil.
A memorial discussion reflecting on Zia’s life and contributions to the nation will be held on May 29 at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB).
Throughout the week, BNP and its affiliated organisations will host special prayers at mosques and carry out charitable initiatives, such as distributing rice, lentils, and clothing to those in need. Newspaper supplements will also be published in tribute.
On May 30, BNP’s Dhaka North and South city units will lead coordinated relief efforts across wards and thanas, while similar programmes will be conducted by district, upazila, and municipality units nationwide.
Party leaders have urged supporters to participate with unity and reverence to honor Ziaur Rahman, who was a liberation war hero and later founded BNP in 1978 before being assassinated in 1981 at the Chittagong Circuit House.
