Bangladesh Embassy in Tokyo on Tuesday observed the National Mourning Day and the 48th Anniversary of Martyrdom of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with due solemnity.

The programme started in the morning at the Embassy premises with hoisting of the national flag at half-mast by the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed. 

The national anthem was played at this time.

After this, one-minute silence was observed followed by a special doa and munajat for the salvation of the  souls of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members and all other martyrs of 15th August in 1975 with the participation of all Embassy officials and expatriate Bangladeshis.

Later at the Bangabandhu Auditorium, Ambassador Ahmed followed with other participants paid deepest homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by laying a floral wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu. 

Messages of the President, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Minister and the State Minister for Foreign Affairs issued on the occasion were read out to the audience.

Under the visionary, fearless and strong leadership of the Father of the Nation, the Bengali Nation was united to forge a struggle for independence and fought liberation war to attain an independent country, Bangladesh and a national identity, Bangalee, at the global stage, said to he Ambassador.

Immediately after independence, under his leadership, Bangladesh joined all major international and regional bodies and established bilateral relations with large number of countries including Japan thus firmly establishing Bangladesh’s place in the world stage. 

"Bangabandhu is not with us today, but his dream, ideals and directives are still guiding us in the pathway for emancipation of Bangladesh. Under the leadership of his daughter and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will implement the Vision 2041 to build a poverty free, modern and developed country as dreamt by Bangabandhu as his Sonar Bangla," the Ambassador expressed his resolve.

A discussion on the significance of the day was held following a documentary screening on the life and work of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

In this segment, a significant number of Bangladeshi community members and professionals working in Japan highlighted the significance of the day and vowed to turn the grief of losing Bangabandhu into strength to work unitedly in strengthening the hands of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to further develop the country and fulfil the dream of Bangabandhu to create ‘Sonar Bangla’.