Today is the fifth anniversary of the death of Shajahan Siraj, one of the key organisers of Bangladesh鈥檚 War of Independence.
Siraj, who also served as a vice-chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party and environment minister, died in Dhaka in 2020, at the age of 77 suffering from cancer, says a press release issued by the Shajahan Siraj Welfare Trust.
To commemorate the day, various programmes have been organised in Dhaka and Kalihati, Tangail.
On behalf of the Shajahan Siraj Welfare Trust, wreaths will be placed at his grave in Banani Graveyard in Dhaka.
Qur鈥檃n recitation and food distribution programmes will be held at orphanages managed by Anjuman Mufidul Islam.
In Kalihati, the day鈥檚 event will begin placing floral wreaths at the mural of Siraj.
Besides, special prayers and Qur鈥檃n recitations will be held at local temples and mosques.
Scholarships will also be awarded to underprivileged meritorious students.
Shajahan Siraj began his political journey as a student leader and was elected vice-president of student union at Government Saadat College, Karatia, Tangail, twice between 1964 and 1967.
He actively participated in Six-Point Movement, Eleven-Point Movement, and 1969 Mass Uprising.
Siraj read out the manifesto of the country鈥檚 independence at Paltan Maidan on March 3, 1971.
He was also a commander of the Bangladesh Liberation Force and a founding member of the Swadhin Bangla Biplabi Parishad 鈥� an organisation formed by the country鈥檚 founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1962 to prepare for the country鈥檚 independence from Pakistan.
