DHAKA, April 28, 2024 (BSS) - The 71st birthday of Sheikh Jamal, second son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, was celebrated today in a befitting manner.

The programmes included laying of wreaths at the grave of Shaheed Sheikh Jamal, offering special doa, recitation of Surah Fateha and discussions.

To mark the day, Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and its associate bodies paid tributes to Sheikh Jamal by placing wreaths at his grave at Banani graveyard here in the morning.

On behalf of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, AL General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader placed a wreath at the grave of Sheikh Jamal at the city's Banani graveyard.

Later, he along with AL central leaders placed another wreath at the grave of Sheikh Jamal.

AL Presidium Member Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Joint General Secretaries Mahbubul Alam Hanif, Dr Dipu Moni and AFM Bahauddin Nasim, Organizing Secretaries Ahmad Hossain, BM Mozammel Haque, Abu Sayeed Al Mahmud Swapan, Afzal Hossain and Sujit Roy Nandi, Publicity and Publication Secretary Dr Abdus Sobhan Golap and Deputy Office Secretary Sayem Khan were present on the occasion, among others.
 
Later, AL's Dhaka city north and south units, party's associate bodies including Awami Jubo League, Swechchhasebak League, Krishak League and Mahila Awami League and different social and cultural bodies also paid tributes to Sheikh Jamal by placing wreaths at his grave.
 
Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh also placed wreaths at Jamal's grave. One-minute silence was observed on the occasion. After recitation of Fateha, munajat was offered seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of Sheikh Jamal.

Awami Jubo League leaders and workers led by its Chairman Sheikh Fazle Shams Parash and General Secretary Mainul Hossain Khan Nikhil also placed wreaths at the grave of Sheikh Jamal at 9.30am. After recitation of Fateha, prayers were also held.

Awami Swechchhasebak League led by its President Gazi Mesbaul Hossain Shachchu and General Secretary Afjalur Rahman Babu placed wreaths at the grave of Sheikh Jamal.

Marking the birthday of Sheikh Jamal, Dhaka-5 lawmaker Mashiur Rahman Mollah Sajal distributed foods among the distressed people and orphan children in Katherpool area of Jatrabari in the capital.

Wari Thana unit of AL president Chowdhury Ashiqur Rahman Lavlu and general secretary Haji Abul Hossain distributed umbrellas, oral saline and water bottles among laborers and rickshaw pullers.

Born on April 28, 1954 at Tungipara in Gopalganj, Sheikh Jamal did his matriculation from Dhaka Residential Model College and intermediate from Dhaka College. He joined the 1971 War of Liberation.

While studying at Dhaka College, Jamal travelled to Yugoslavia for military training under the auspices of the Yugoslav army.

Subsequently, he received training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in Great Britain. He joined the Bangladesh Army as a Commissioned Officer.

Jamal was also a noted sportsman. He was also fond of music and used to play guitar.

On August 15, 1975, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the architect of independent Bangladesh, with most of his family members, including Sheikh Jamal, were assassinated by a group of disgruntled army officers.

Bangabandhu's two daughters - incumbent Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and his sister Sheikh Rehana - escaped the carnage as they were abroad at that time.