Despite repeated attacks, Awami League rose from the ashes like a phoenix: PM Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina compared the Awami League to the mythological phoenix, noting that despite repeated attempts to wipe out the party, it has always emerged stronger, owing to its roots among the common people of Bangladesh.

"Repeated attempts have been made to wipe out this party. But Awami League is an organization of the common people, and Awami League is an organization for people's rights. So even after repeated attacks, this party did not get any harm. Awami League has risen from the ashes like a phoenix bird after being burned," she said while addressing the 75th founding anniversary discussion of Awami League at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital yesterday afternoon.

The phoenix is an immortal bird that cyclically regenerates itself or is otherwise born again, according to mythology.

Awami League President Sheikh Hasina urged her party leaders and activists to stand by the people without fear of death, adding: “No conspiracy can succeed if the organization is strong.”

Sheikh Hasina, who has been leading Awami League since 1981, mentioned several attacks on the party since the Ayub Khan regime and said: “Repeated attempts were made to wipe out Awami League starting from the regime of Ayub Khan's martial law...but no one could harm this party,”

“Not too long ago, there was an attempt in 2007 to wipe out the Awami League and form the King's Party, but that was also unsuccessful. The main strength of the Awami League is the people of the country, countless leaders and activists of the party and soldiers of Mujib ideals. These soldiers never accepted defeat and didn't bow down,” added Sheikh Hasina.

While remembering the seven-and-a-half decade journey of the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina said: “Perhaps some leaders may have made a mistake. They thought themselves bigger than the party and left the party. They left the party and joined another party. The leaders who have made mistakes, probably forgot that they were enlightened because they were in the leadership of Awami League. After leaving the party, they did not shine anymore, slowly faded away,"

Regarding the leaders who left Awami League, she said: “Some have returned after realizing their wrong decision and we also accepted them. But others are still making various speculations about the fall and destruction of the Awami League government. But the Awami League was established to change the fate of the people of Bengal. We have proven it.”

Referring to Awami League's belief in the power of the people, the premier said: “In 1996 after a long year when we came back in state power then the people of Bangladesh started to realize again that a political party's job is to serve the people,”

Sheikh Hasina asked her party men to work for a well-organized party and achieve people's confidence and trust so that no attack or conspiracy could destroy the party.

Sheikh Hasina concluded her speech by pledging to make Bangladesh a smart country by 2041.

Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader gave the welcome speech at the discussion.

In the 75th anniversary ceremony of Awami League, opposition leader in parliament and Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader, central leaders of 14 parties, diplomats of various countries working in Bangladesh and notable guests from various sectors of the country were present.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reached the venue at the historic Suhrawardy Uddyan at 3:35pm and the program started with the national anthem.

At this time, the national and party flags were hoisted by Awami League President Prime Minister Sheikh Hasna and General Secretary Obaidul Quader.

Later, Sheikh Hasina and Obaidul Quader released pigeons and balloons.

A colourful cultural program was then performed and the party’s cultural affairs secretary Asim Kumar Ukil conducted this part.

Awami League's 75th-anniversary theme song was performed at the beginning, and then dances and songs were performed highlighting the history-tradition and culture of Bangladesh.

From the afternoon, the leaders and activists of Awami League, Chhatra League, Jubo League, Seccha Sebok League, Mahila Awami League, Jubo Mahila League and various affiliate organizations of Awami League started coming to Suhrawardy Udyan to attend the event displaying national and party flags and placards featuring Bangabandhu, Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, and Bangabandhu Tunnel.

Celebrations Countrywide

Bangladesh Awami League, one of the nation's oldest political parties, celebrated its 75th founding anniversary with nationwide festivities yesterday.

The celebrations began with the raising of national and party flags at all party offices, including the central office on Bangabandhu Avenue, at sunrise.

Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina honoured the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, by placing a wreath at his portrait at the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi-32 in the morning. She then observed a moment of silence in his memory.

Accompanied by senior party leaders, Sheikh Hasina placed another wreath on behalf of the Awami League.

Among those present were Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, AL Advisory Council Member Amir Hossain Amu, and other prominent leaders such as Begum Matia Chowdhury.

Various units of Awami League including Dhaka's north and south city units and affiliated organizations like Awami Jubo League and Bangladesh Chhatra League, also paid tribute to Bangabandhu's portrait.

Additionally, a delegation led by Awami League Presidium Member Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) Muhammad Faruk Khan placed wreaths at Bangabandhu's mausoleum in Tungipara, Gopalganj.

In the evening a cultural event was performed at the Historic Rose Garden of Old Dhaka, where Awami League was founded on June 23 in 1949.