Bangladesh Consulate in Sittwe, Myanmar observed the 48th Martyrdom Anniversary of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and National Mourning Day 2023 in Sittwe on 15 August 2023. The program was organized in four phases. Despite deteriorating law and order situations in Rakhine, the number of participants in the event was significant, Diplomats from the Indian Consulate, Sittwe University students, journalists, Buddhist religious leaders and dignitaries from Rakhine State attended the event.
02. At the outset, the Head of Mission along with other officials of the Consulate and the guests hoisted the national flag (half mast) in the early morning. The Head of mission and the Consul along with the Consul General and Consul of the Consulate General of India, Sittwe laid the floral wreath at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, The visiting guests and other officials of the Consulate observed one minute of silence in memory of the Father of the Nation, other martyred members of his family and martyred freedom fighters.
03. The officers of the Mission then read out the messages of the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on National Mourning Day. A documentary was also screened on the life of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Consul General of Consulate General of India, Sittwe, Mr. Bibekananda Bhattamishra, Consul General of the Indian Consulate and Consulate's Head of Mission spoke on the occasion. I mentioned that though the assassins were been able to remove Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman physically but they could not remove him from the heart of the people. Mr. Bhattamishra mentioned that Bangabandhu is revered not only in Bangladesh but also throughout the whole world. A copy of the press release is enclosed.
04. The officials of the Mission also held a prayer ceremony in the presence of Buddhist leaders and monks in a local Buddhist monastery to pray for the peace of the departed souls of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, other martyred members of his family.
05. After that, officials of the Consulate organized the "Bangabandhu Tree Plantation Campaign" in presence of dignitaries of Rakhine at "Home for Age" (Old Home) in Sittwe and prayed for the peace of the soul of the Father of the Nation and all his family members. Medicines and food items were distributed to all the elderlies.
06. At the final phase of the program, the Mission arranged Quran-Khani, Milad Mahfil, and special Dua on the occasion.
CLICK HERE to see the photoes of National Mourning Day 2023
