Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was remembered for his courage and leadership by international scholars at a virtual event.

The Embassy of Bangladesh in Belgium capital Brussels and the Mission to the European Union organised the virtual event marking National Mourning Day and the 46th martyrdom anniversary of Bangabandhu on Sunday.

A documentary, 'Bangabandhu Forever in Our Hearts', was also screened, detailing the life and achievements of Bangabandhu.

Read:Bangabandhu, his family had been targets of 7 plots well before independence: Gowher Rizvi

Dr Richard Cash, global health researcher and senior lecturer in international health at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health recalled his experiences of living and working in Bangladesh in the 1960s.

He said the Language Movement of which Bangabandhu was part of, was absolutely critical in the run-up to the Liberation War; and the culture of the country was totally intertwined.

“Bangabandhu was very much part of this culture, his Bengaliness, his love of that country and of the people ...,” Dr Richard said.

Dr William Greenough, Professor Emeritus at Johns Hopkins University said that Bangabandhu was a people’s man, who was always connected to his roots. "Bangabandhu’s heritage lies in the success today of all Bangladeshis and the country itself which he formed."

“His courage to be willing to go to jail, to be in unlawful captivity under the dictators of Pakistan and still come back and become the leader of free Bangladesh is one of the most remarkable stories of the 20th century,” Dr William added.

Founder and Executive Director of Brussels-based think-tank South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF) and former Member of the European Parliament, Paulo Casaca delivered a video speech on Bangabandhu and Bangladesh.

“Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangabandhu as many affectionately call him, is a prime example of a generation of world leaders that emerged from colonization times... the best way to respect the heritage of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, an exceptional human being and creator of an exceptional nation, is to preserve the strategies set by Sheikh Hasina,” said Paulo.

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The programme began with Ambassador Mahbub Hassan Saleh putting the national flag at half-mast and then placing a floral wreath at the portrait of Bangabandhu on behalf of the officials of the Mission.

A one-minute silence was observed as a mark of respect in the memory of Bangabandhu and all the martyred members of his family, who were brutally assassinated on this day, 46 years ago.

Ambassador Mahbub Saleh underscored that Bangabandhu and Bangladesh are synonymous. He highlighted that the heinous assassination of Bangabandhu along with most of the members of his family was in reality the slaying of the newly independent, sovereign Bangladesh and an attempt to take Bangladesh back to the dark days of pre-independence.

In the absence of Bangabandhu, it was his visionary daughter Sheikh Hasina who ably took the reins and has been leading the nation towards prosperity and development, he said.

Ambassador Saleh called upon Bangladeshis living abroad to work towards mobilising international support for bringing the self-confessed and convicted killers of Bangabandhu back to Bangladesh for due execution of the court orders.

Members of the Bangladesh community who participated in the programme 
highlighted Bangabandhu's vision of an independent Bangladesh and said that his philosophy, works, teachings and ideals will forever remain a guiding force for the nation.

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As part of the programme, Ambassador Saleh held conversations on Bangabandhu, Bangladesh and National Mourning Day, with two important internationally reputed personalities who were conferred the ‘‘Friends of Liberation War Honour’’ award in recognition of their invaluable contribution to the historic War of Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.

During the programme, messages given on the National Mourning Day by the President, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and State Minister for Foreign Affairs were read out by the officials of the Embassy.