Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s death anniversary was commemorated in Dhaka, for the first time in Bangladesh’s history.
The commemoration marked the 76th anniversary of Jinnah, and Urdu songs and poetry were played and recited in the country’s capital city, Dhaka Tribune reported.
The publication stated that the event was organised by the Nawab Salimullah Academy at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall at the National Press Club in Dhaka.
The event was also expecting the arrival of the Pakistani high commissioner to Bangladesh as the chief guest, however, he was unable to mark his presence. Deputy High Commissioner Kamran Dhangal, meanwhile, was in attendance.
A keynote paper, outlining the trajectory of Jinnah’s life, was also presented at the event by Prof Dr Mostafizur Rahman. The academy’s president Muhammad Abdul Jabbar and journalist Mostafa Kamal Mojumder were also present to mark the death anniversary.
A poet, Jafarul Haq Jafar, recited an Urdu poem at the event, while the songs in Urdu were performed by two Pakistani students studying in Bangladesh.
“If Bangladesh had not been part of Pakistan in 1947, we would have been in the same position as Kashmir today, with the Indian junta holding weapons to our necks. Bangladesh gained independence because of Pakistan, which Jinnah helped create,” said Nagorik Parishad Md Samsuddin, the convener of the event.
