President-elect Mohammed Shahabuddin will take the oath of office on Monday. He will be the 22nd president of Bangladesh. He succeds President Md Abdul Hamid whose second succesive five-year term is due to end Sunday.Under Bangladesh parliamentary system the president is a figurehead with the prime minister holding the executive power. President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin said swearing-in ceremony of the new president will be held at 11am Monday at Bangabhaban under the supervision of Cabinet division. He also informed that Jatiya Sangsad (Parliament) Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury will administer the oath of the President while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, cabinet members and hundreds of distinguished guests will attend the event. Also read: Md Shahabuddin set to become next President of Bangladesh Cabinet Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain will conduct the programme. After the swearing-in ceremony, Md Sahabuddin will sign the oath documents of the office of the President. New President Md Sahabuddin and outgoing president M Abdul Hamid will officially alter the seat after the oath, said Jaynal. Alongside, family members of the new President, including his wife Dr Rebecca Sultana and son Arshad Adnan Rony will attend the function. Chief Justice Hasan Foez Siddique, Members of Parliament, Chief Election Commissioner, Supreme Court judges, political leaders, chiefs of the three services, diplomats, senior journalists, including editors, and high-ranking civil and military officials will witness the event. Shahabuddin, 73, was elected as president unopposed on February 13 this year as a candidate of ruling Awami League. Born in Pabna in 1949, Shahabuddin fought valiantly in the 1971 War of Liberation. During his student life, he served as an activist and president of Pabna Chhatra League and later took over the responsibility of Pabna Jubo League as its president. In 1971, he was the convenor of Swadhin Bangla Chhatra Sangram Parishad of Pabna and also actively participated in the Liberation War. He was imprisoned following the brutal assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1975. He was later appointed as the Law Ministry's coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case. In 1982, he joined the BCS (Judicial) Department, and in 1995, he was elected general secretary of the Judicial Service Association.He served as the law ministry's coordinator in the Bangabandhu assassination case. He also served as the chairman of the Judicial Inquiry Commission, which investigated murders, rapes, thefts and other crimes by BNP-Jamaat alliance's activists and leaders following the 2001 general election. He also worked as a district and sessions judge before retiring in 2006. He was a commissioner at the Anti-Corruption Commission from 2011 to 2016. In the latest National Council of Bangladesh Awami League, he served as election commissioner. He earned his LLB from Rajshahi University in 1975 and later completed his MSc from the same institution. Shahabuddin's wife, Prof Dr Rebecca Sultana, is a former joint secretary of the government. The current president, Abdul Hamid, is leaving Bangabhaban on April 24 becoming the longest-serving president in the history of Bangladesh.  

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said the life of President Md Abdul Hamid is very successful as he proved his patriotism and sense of responsibility in every case. “He (the President) has exposed his patriotism and sense of responsibility in every case. He proved it. I think his life is very successful ….….He has been making a lot of contribution to our politics and the overall development and welfare of the country’s masses,” she said. The PM was addressing as the chief guest in the publication ceremony of two books composed by President Md Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban in the city. The two books titled ‘Amar Jibanniti Amar Rajniti’ (My Life Principles and My Politics) and ‘Swapna Joyer Icchha’ (Desire to Win Dreams). The first is an autobiography published by Bangla Academy and the second one is a 2-volume collection of the writer’s speeches, which were published by Gourob Prakashan. Sheikh Hasina said the President has left an invaluable asset for the people by writing this autobiography. She requested him to continue his writing on the next episode of his life, particularly his experiences as the President. “I think that we can learn many things about the history of Bangladesh from the life of a politician. So, I would like to request the President to write about the next episode of his life, particularly his experiences as the President,” she said.   Talking about his family life, the PM said he (Abdul Hamid) is a successful husband, father and the President. President Md. Abdul Hamid, also the writer of the two books, spoke at the event as its chair and his spouse Rashida Khanam gave the vote of thanks. Besides, Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury addressed the function as the special guest, while seasoned politician Tofail Ahmed discussed the books. Director General of Bangla Academy Mohammad Nurul Huda delivered the welcome speech in the publication ceremony.

The historic March 7, a memorable day in the nation’s long arduous freedom struggle, will be observed on Monday in a befitting manner. The day is observed to draw renewed inspiration from the timeless speech Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered before of a sea of people in Dhaka galvanising the Bangalees to take up arms for the 1971 War of Liberation. In 2017, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) recognised the historic March 7 Speech of the Father of the Nation as a world documentary heritage. On October 7 of 2020, the Cabinet declared March 7 as ‘Historic Day’ instead of the ‘National Historic Day’ so day is observed at nationally and internationally. Read: Bangladesh again requests Canada to deport Bangabandhu's killer Nur On this day in 1971, Bangabandhu, the undisputed leader of Bangalees, had delivered his epoch-making speech of independence at the then-Racecourse Maidan, now Suhrawardy Udyan, in Dhaka city. In his 19-minute extempore speech before a million freedom-loving people, Bangabandhu had made a clarion call for a non-cooperation movement asking the nation to prepare for the war of independence to liberate the country from the exploitative Pakistan regime. “The struggle this time is for our freedom, the struggle this time is for independence, Joy Bangla,” Bangabandhu declared from the massive rally. In his speech, often compared to US President Abraham Lincoln's historic Gettysburg speech, Bangabandhu said: “Since we have learnt to give blood, we'll give more blood. Insha Allah, the people of this country must be liberated...turn every house into a fort. Face (the enemy) with whatever you have.” His speech worked like a magic spell inspiring the entire nation to join the struggle for independence from the autocratic and repressive rule of the then Pakistani military junta. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday will join a programme on “Historic March 7, 2022” at Bangabandhu International Conference Center virtually. Awami League and different socio-political and cultural organisations have chalked out elaborate programmes on the occasion. Bangladesh Betar and Bangladesh Television as well as private television channels and radio stations will air special programmes while national dailies will publish supplements marking the day. Read:Sajeeb Wazed highlights Bangabandhu's heroic role in language movement Meanwhile, President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have issued separate messages recalling with gratitude the courageous and farsighted leadership of Bangabandhu in materialising the nation's journey to freedom through his March 7 Speech. In a message, the President said: “The historic address of Bangabandhu on March 7 will be an eternal source of inspiration not only for us but also for freedom-loving people around the world.” President Hamid said, Bangabandhu's lifetime dream was to turn the independent-sovereign Bangladesh into a happy and prosperous ‘Golden Bangla’. “We must continue our efforts to fulfil that dream of our great leader.” He also urged all regardless of their political view to contribute to the implementation of the ‘Vision 2041’, to make Bangladesh a developed and rich country by 2041, adopted by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In her message, the prime minister said: “The worldwide recognition of the historic March 7 speech of the Father of the Nation is a rare honour and pride for the Bengali nation today.” Hasina said, “Last year, we celebrated the golden jubilee of this great speech of March 7 and our independence. This year we are celebrating 70 years of language movement and the Mujib Barsha.” The PM said, “Bangladesh has gained recognition in the world today as a role model of development as a result of the initiatives taken by our government.” She also urged all to follow the great ideal of the Father of the Nation and pledge to build his dream 'Sonar Bangladesh'.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam has said Mujibnagar embodies the pride of the Bangalee nation in the struggle for freedom from the occupational forces. He paid deep tribute to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, three million martyrs and two lakh tortured mothers and sisters. The Ambassador, while addressing a discussion meeting, said Bangladesh earned liberation not only by sacrifice but also by valor of the freedom fighters. Also read: Historic Mujibnagar Day observed in Seoul Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC observed the historic Mujibnagar Day on Saturday with due solemnity and respect. To mark the day, the Embassy organised the discussion meeting at Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Chancery in the morning. Messages issued by President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Mujibnagar Day were read out. A documentary titled “Mujibnagar Sarker” was screened at the event. Also read: Mujibnagar govt played historic role in freedom struggle of Bangladesh: Envoy A special prayer was offered, seeking divine blessings and salvation of the departed souls of Bangabandhu, four national leaders, and all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the liberation war as well as for peace and progress of Bangladesh. Later, Ambassador Shahidul Islam, along with the diplomats working in the Embassy, placed a floral wreath at the bust of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The International Women's Day will be observed in Bangladesh as elsewhere across the globe on Monday celebrating women's achievement, raising awareness against bias and taking action for equality.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday released a video featuring the Homecoming Day of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bangladesh and countries across the world are observing the International Migrants Day-2020 in a befitting manner.

The seventh session of 11th parliament, which is the second session of the calendar year and the shortest one, was prorogued on Saturday.

President Md Abdul Hamid will address Parliament at the outset of its two-day special session beginning March 22 as part of the Mujib Borsho celebration, marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Jeremy Bruer on Thursday said his country looks forward to remaining a friend to Bangladesh for many years to come as the two countries prepare to celebrate two important occasions.