PM’s birthday a muted affair due to Rohingya crisis

The ruling Awami League (AL) and its affiliated organisations yesterday observed the 71st birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by organising various humanitarian events and hosting discussions on her life and achievements.

Hasina, the eldest of the five children of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Begum Fazilatunnesa, was born at Tungipara of Gopalganj in Faridpur district on this day in 1947.

Unlike previous years, however, there were no cultural events to mark Hasina’s birthday this time due to the Rohingya crisis. The celebration was more solemn with only milad and dua mehfils being held in Dhaka and other parts of the country.

Special prayers were held at the country’s national mosque, Baitul Mokarram, to mark the occasion. Besides, special prayers were also held at temples, churches, pagodas and other religious places in the country, seeking divine blessings for the good health and long life of the PM, who is now in the US in connection with the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

The AL general secretary, Obaidul Quader, started Hasina’s birthday programmes by distributing food, rickshaws and vans among poor people in front of the Dhanmondi party office yesterday morning.

Later, Quader joined a milad mehfil and voluntary blood donation programme organised by the Dhaka City South Jubo League.

Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, addressed the event as the chief guest.

“Hasina has proved herself to be the lighthouse of world humanity by providing shelter to the Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar due to persecution,” he said.

He also said the PM’s five-point proposal to resolve the Rohingya crisis was praised by the international community and forums.

Also yesterday, a dua mehfil was held at Hasina’s official residence, Ganabhaban, after Asr prayers. A special munajat was offered seeking her good health and long life. Prayers were also offered for the early recovery of Hasina, who had undergone a successful gallbladder surgery in Washington on September 25.

Besides, prayers were also offered to seek eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 massacre as well as for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Officials and employees of Ganabhaban and the Prime Minister’s Office attended the dua mehfil.

Meanwhile, the ruling party’s Dhaka city unit organised a discussion on Hasina’s eventful life at the Institution of Engineers in the capital. Quader and other central leaders of the party were among those who addressed the event.

 

PMs birthday a muted affair due to Rohingya crisis

The ruling Awami League (AL) and its affiliated organisations yesterday observed the 71st birthday of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina by organising various humanitarian events and hosting discussions on her life and achievements. Hasina, the eldest of the five children of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Begum Fazilatunnesa, was born at Tungipara of Gopalganj in Faridpur district on this day in 1947. Unlike previous years, however, there were no cultural events to mark Hasinas birthday this time due to the Rohingya crisis. The celebration was more solemn with only milad and dua mehfils being held in Dhaka and other parts of the country. Special prayers were held at the countrys national mosque, Baitul Mokarram, to mark the occasion. Besides, special prayers were also held at temples, churches, pagodas and other religious places in the country, seeking divine blessings for the good health and long life of the PM, who is now in the US in connection with the 72nd United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session. The AL general secretary, Obaidul Quader, started Hasinas birthday programmes by distributing food, rickshaws and vans among poor people in front of the Dhanmondi party office yesterday morning. Later, Quader joined a milad mehfil and voluntary blood donation programme organised by the Dhaka City South Jubo League. Quader, who is also the road transport and bridges minister, addressed the event as the chief guest. Hasina has proved herself to be the lighthouse of world humanity by providing shelter to the Rohingyas who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar due to persecution, he said. He also said the PMs five-point proposal to resolve the Rohingya crisis was praised by the international community and forums. Also yesterday, a dua mehfil was held at Hasinas official residence, Ganabhaban, after Asr prayers. A special munajat was offered seeking her good health and long life. Prayers were also offered for the early recovery of Hasina, who had undergone a successful gallbladder surgery in Washington on September 25. Besides, prayers were also offered to seek eternal peace of the departed souls of Bangabandhu and other martyrs of the August 15 massacre as well as for the continued peace, progress and prosperity of the country. Officials and employees of Ganabhaban and the Prime Ministers Office attended the dua mehfil. Meanwhile, the ruling partys Dhaka city unit organised a discussion on Hasinas eventful life at the Institution of Engineers in the capital. Quader and other central leaders of the party were among those who addressed the event.