By Juyel Raaj
On the occasion of Bangladesh’s National Mourning Day, marking the 50 th martyrdom anniversary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, expatriate journalists in London paid their solemn tribute on Friday.
Led by veteran freedom fighter, senior journalist and Satyabani adviser editor Abu Musa Hasan, the journalists placed floral wreaths at the Central Shaheed Minar in East London and at the Bangabandhu sculpture on Sydney Street in two separate phases.
Among those present were eminent freedom fighter and renowned singer Himangshu Goswami, journalist Syed Anas Pasha, journalist Dr. Ansar Ahmed Ullah, joint editor of the weekly Janomot Musleh Uddin Ahmed, ATN Bangla Head of News Sayeem Chowdhury, Brick Lane News editor Juyel Raaj, Swadesh Bidesh editor Batirul Haque Sardar, Prothom Alo North America correspondent Azizul Ambia, BridgeBangla News editor Shah Mostafizur Rahman Belal, and Tower Hamlets Voyage editor Suez Mia.
After the tributes, freedom fighter and journalist Abu Musa Hasan shared his reflections. He said:
“’71, Bangabandhu, and Joy Bangla—on these three fundamental issues, Bengalis will never compromise. The great Liberation War of 1971 gave birth to Bangladesh; to deny it is to deny Bangladesh itself. Joy Bangla was the source of our courage and strength in the Liberation War. And without Bangabandhu, there would be no Bangladesh. Therefore, there can be no compromise on these three.”
