Sheikh Russel Day” observed at Bangladesh Embassy in Washington:
Hakikul Islam Khokan,Senior Correspondedt USA :
Sheikh Russel’s killing is one of the biggest human rights violations in world, says Ambassador Imran.
The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC on Wednesday (18 October) observed the “Sheikh Russel Day”, marking the 60th birthday of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, the youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, in a befitting manner.
The daylong programmes of the Embassy included placing of floral wreaths at the portraits of Sheikh Russel and Bangabandhu, reading out messages of the President and the Prime Minister, screening of a documentary and organizing seminar on the life of Shaheed Sheikh Russel, and quiz and painting competitions for the children.
The programmes began with placing of floral wreaths by Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Mr. Muhammad Imran at the portraits of Shaheed Sheikh Russel and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at the Bangabandhu Auditorium.
The messages issued on the occasion by Hon’ble President Mohammed Shahabuddin and Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were read out by Minister (Consular) Mohammad Habibur Rahman and Minister (Political) Md Mohammad Rashedujjaman.
The theme song of the day was played along with a video which was followed by a documentary on the life of Shaheed Sheikh Russel.
Later, a seminar titled “Brutal Assassination of Sheikh Russel and Human Rights” was held at the Bangabandhu Auditorium of the Embassy. Counselor (Political) Arifa Rahman Ruma presented the keynote speech at the seminar.
In her keynote speech, Ruma said Sheikh Russel is now a name of most painful tragedy for the Bangalee nation, and his assassination is the most heinous and hatred child killing in the world.
Comparing the August 15 carnage with the “Karbala Tragedy”, she said this killing was the execution of the conspiracy of the anti-liberation elements to halt the advancement of just independent state and nation.
Minister (Press) AZM Sajjad Hossain took part in the discussion on the keynote speech and said the anti-liberation elements perpetrated the crimes against humanity on August 15 night through killing of children, including 10-year-old Sheikh Russel, and pregnant women along with Bangabandhu and his other family members.in his closing remarks at the seminar, Bangladesh Ambassador Muhammad Imran paid deepest homage to Shaheed Sheikh Russel and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other martyrs of the August 15 carnage.
He highlighted Shaheed Sheikh Russel’s unique virtues which he demonstrated in his only 10-year-old life and said the brutal killing of Bangabandhu and his other family members including minor Sheikh Russel is one of the biggest violations of human rights in the world history.
Through this barbaric killing, he said, the UN Universal Declaration of the Human Rights and the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child have been severely violated.
In the evening, painting and quiz competitions were held with the participation of the children. Later, a special prayer was offered, and a cake was cut in the presence of the children on the occasion.
The programmes of the day ended with distribution of prizes by the Ambassador among the winners of the quiz and painting competitions.
Counselor and Head of Chancery Mohammad Moniruzzaman and First Secretary (Passport and Visa) Muhammad Abdul Hye Milton conducted the two parts of the programmes.
