The 43rd anniversary of death of Bangladesh Nationalist Party founder Ziaur Rahman, also a former president of the country, will be observed today.
The main opposition BNP, its front and associate organisations will mark the anniversary with an elaborate 15-day programme from May 29 to June 12.
The 7th president of Bangladesh, from 1977 to 1981, Ziaur Rahman, was assassinated by a group of army officers at the Chittagong Circuit House on May 30, 1981.
Zia came into the limelight by making the declaration of independence on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding president of the country, in March 1971.
He was a sector commander and led the Z Force during the liberation war in 1971.
He was decorated with the gallantry award Bir Uttam for valour in the war.
On November 7, 1975, he was freed by sepoys and people from captivity at the hands of a section of the army and was brought to power.
Born on January 19, 1936, in the village of Bagbari in Bogura, Zia became the country鈥檚 president in April 1977.
He founded BNP in 1978.
In a message on Wednesday on the occasion of Zia鈥檚 death anniversary, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said that Zia鈥檚 ideology, philosophy and programmes were safeguards to protect independence, multiparty democracy, development and the progress of the country.
The 15-day programme includes virtual discussion meetings, photo exhibitions, free medical camps, wearing black badges, publishing posters and supplements in newspapers and distribution of food among the destitute.
Black flags will be hoisted and party flags will be kept at half-mast atop the offices of the party and its associate bodies, including its Naya Paltan headquarters, at 6:00am on May 30.
Besides, party senior leaders will place wreaths at Zia鈥檚 grave at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the morning.
The BNP will organise a virtual discussion on 29 May in observance of the day.
Party secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and standing committee members will distribute food among the destitute at 80 spots of the capital in May 30鈥�31 arranged by the party鈥檚 Dhaka North and South units.
BNP鈥檚 different associate bodies will arrange various programmes, including discussions, during the 15-day period in observance of the death anniversary.
The party鈥檚 all district, city and thana units will also observe the day with various programmes, including virtual discussions to be participated in by senior BNP leaders.
