“The present generation should know the real history of liberation war and freedom struggle”- CUET VC
Chattogram University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) observed Genocide Day through a one-minute symbolic blackout, candle lighting, discussion meeting and prayer commemorating the Black Night of 25th of March.
While speaking as the chief guest in the “Genocide and Historical Great War of Liberation Remembrance and Discussion Meeting” organized in the Academic Council Room of the University on Monday morning, Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said, “After 1975 various reactionary groups came to power in the name of independence. But they suppressed the true history of liberation war and independence. In 1996, Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangabandhu, started working to restore the spirit of independence and the history of the liberation war. Since 2009, he has brought the real history to a prestigious position. During those terrible days of 1971, the CUET campus was also bathed in the blood of freedom fighters. I remember with gratitude the contribution of all the brave freedom fighters of the region, including the two students of CUET, Shaheed Mohammad Shah and Shaheed Tarek Huda. Our students and the present generation should know the real history of the liberation war and freedom struggle of the country. Learning from the sacrifices of the freedom fighters, everyone must work together in the mission of building the Sonar Bangla of freedom dreamer Bangabandhu’s dream and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Smart Bangladesh.”
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Dr. Jamal Uddin Ahmed; Dean of the Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor Dr. Sudip Kumar Pal; Dr. Muhammad Rashidul Hasan, Provost of Shaheed Mohammad Shah Hall and Dean of Faculty of Architecture and Planning; and heroic freedom fighter Mr. S.M. Haroon-ur-Rashid were present as special guests at the event.
The Dean and Registrar (Additional Duty) of the Faculty of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Professor Dr. Sheikh Humayun Karib delivered a welcome speech.
The program was presided over by the Director of Student Welfare Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim. On behalf of the department heads, the head of the civil engineering department, Professor Dr. Ayesha Akhtar; former president on behalf of the teachers’ association Dr. Abu Sadat Muhammad Sayem; office secretary on behalf of the Officers’ Association Mr. Md. Rubel Mahmud; on behalf of Mr. and employees Md. Abdui Al Hannan. Deputy Director (Public Relations) Mr. Mohammad Fazlur Rahman and Assistant Registrar (Coordination) of the Vice-Chancellor’s Office Mr. Muhammad Rashedul Islam conducted the program.
A documentary on the 25th March massacre was presented at the beginning of the program. Later, on the occasion of Genocide Day, Senior Imam Hafez Maulana Qari Nurullah of the Central Mosque conducted a special prayer for the salvation of the souls of all the martyrs of the Liberation War.
Other day-long events to mark the Genocide Day included special prayers and distribution of food stuff for the souls of the martyrs at the Central Mosque aftet Juhr prayers and a symbolic blackout for one minute from 10:30 pm to 10:31 am at the Central Shaheed Minar followed by candle lighting. The teachers, students and officials of the university participated in the said blackout.