Suhrawardy's 59th death anniversary Monday

The 59th death anniversary of the champion of democracy and one of the greatest leaders of undivided India, Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy will be observed in the country tomorrow in a befitting manner.

The unparalleled leader of all Indian politics, who had dedicated his entire life to ensure the welfare of the people by upholding democracy, died at a Beirut hotel in Lebanon on December 5 in 1963. He was alone in the hotel suite at the time of his death.

Suhrawardy was a Bengali politician and statesman in the first half of the 20th century. He served as the premier of Bengal in British India and was the fifth Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today paid rich tributes to the memory of Suhrawardy on the occasion of his death anniversary.

In a message, the Prime Minister prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul of Suhrawardy, terming him 'the champion of democracy'.

"Hossain Shaheed Suhrawardy was a wise and prudent political organizer. He formed the Independent Muslim Party in 1926 and the United Muslim Party in 1936 to organize the Muslims in British India. He also played an important role in the establishment of the then Awami Muslim League (later Awami League) on 23 June 1949. He was also instrumental in the Muslim League's tragic defeat to the United Front in the first provincial assembly elections in 1954," the premier said.

To mark the day, different political and socio-cultural organisations, including ruling Awami League, have chalked out various programmes including placing wreaths at the grave of the great leader in the morning, holding discussions, offering Qurankhwani and arranging milad and doa-mahfil in the capital and elsewhere in the country.

Awami League (AL) will pay tribute to the late leader by placing wreaths on his grave adjacent to the High Court at 8 am tomorrow. Fateha and doa will also be offered there.

Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy was born in a respected Muslim family at Medinipur in West Bengal, India on September 8 in 1892.

Awami League General Secretary and Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader, in a statement, today paid deep homage to the memory of late Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy saying that he had fought for democracy throughout his life.

The extraordinary strength, perseverance and qualities of his leadership have guided the nation on the right path, he added.

He had made outstanding contributions to the struggle for democracy, justice and the rule of law, Quader said.

In the statement, Quader called upon the leaders and workers of all levels of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations to observe the death anniversary of Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy with due dignity.

Jatiya Party (JP-Manzu) will place wreaths at the grave of Hussain Shaheed Suhrawardy near Doel Chattar at 8am tomorrow. It will also offer fateha and munajat seeking eternal peace of the departed soul of the late leader.

Party chairman Anwar Hossain Manzu and general secretary Sheikh Shahidul Islam urged party leaders-activists to make the programmes a success.