Leaders and workers of the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) yesterday (Friday) celebrated their party’s 68th founding anniversary by placing floral wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, at Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi Road No. 32. The party was floated as Awami Muslim League by secular, progressive and young Muslim League leaders at a two-day political workers' conference at the historic Rose Garden at Abhoy Das Lane in the Old City on June 23-24 in 1949. Later, it was renamed as Awami League, a secular political party. The AL president, Sheikh Hasina, along with other leaders, inaugurated the anniversary programmes of the party by releasing pigeons and balloons and hoisting the national and party flags. The national anthem was played during this time.
Earlier, Sheikh Hasina paid homage to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing a wreath at the portrait of the great leader in front of Bangabandhu Bhaban. She stood in solemn silence for some time in front of the portrait of Bangabandhu. Members of the cabinet, state ministers and party lawmakers accompanied her during this time. Hasina, along with party leaders, also placed wreaths
at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the Awami League.
Industries minister Amir Hossain Amu, commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, agriculture minister Begum Matia Chowdhury, housing and public works minister Mosharraf Hossain, road transport and bridges minister Obaidul Quader, Awami League presidium member Advocate Sahara Khatun and other central leaders of the party were present on the occasion. People from all strata, including different political, social, cultural and professional organisations, paid respect to Bangabandhu by placing wreaths at the portrait of the Father of the Nation. Since the AL was floated, it has led national democratic and social movements, including the historic Language Movement and the Liberation War, and became an organisation of the masses. At the first council of the party, Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Shamsul Huq and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were elected as its president, general secretary and joint secretary, respectively.