The Diplomat
The Embassy of Bangladesh organized last Thursday a seminar on ’Sheikh Russel Day 2023′, the youngest son of the Father of Bangladeshi Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, which was attended by a significant number of Spanish academicians, social influencers, high-ranking officials, members of the diplomatic community and civil society organizations on top of expatríate Bangladeshi community members.
In his welcome speech, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Spain, Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, paid deep homage to the sacred memory of Shaheed Sheikh Russel and, referring to his brutal assassination on the fateful night of 15 August 1975, said: “No amount of justice is sufficient to assuage our intense grief, although many of the notorious murderers of that black night were already brought to justice. Russel remains forever young—in paradise, and in our minds.”
“Sheikh Russel is no more amongst us, but his vivid memory will continué to resonate the conscience of the entire nation, until the end of time. Russel is as alive today, with all the everlasting affection of the people of Bangladesh, as he was during the short span of his earthly life,” he added emotively.
The Ambassador further said, “Bangabandhu knew that the new generation had to be built as worthy citizens in order to build a happy and prosperous ’Golden Bengal’. As such, it is necessary to flourish their good qualities from childhood and the new generations have to be nurtured with the spirit of honesty, patriotism and devotion, as reflected in the life and legacy of the Father of the Nation.”
He quoted what Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said about his little brother in heaven: “I roam around searching Russel in every child and we have to raise our children in the pristine and dignified image of Russel.”
The Ambassador concluded by saying, “Russel stands as an epitome of love and inspiration for the children all over the world. As such, his birthday is fondly declared as the ’Sheikh Russel Day’. The grief of the untimely demise of Sheikh Russel will never end. On Sheikh Russel’s birthday, we wish that the whole world would be beautiful and safe for children.”
Addressing the seminar as guest speakers, Professor Carlos Uriarte Sánchez, Secretary General of the Union PanEuropea and Juan Lorente González, Founder and Global President of the Diplomatic Coalition said, “The brutal martyrdom of Shaheed Sheikh Russel constitutes one of the most heinous and blatant contraventions of universal human rights.”
A video documentary on the life of Shaheed Sheikh Russel was screened, followed by the placing of a floral wreath at the portrait of Sheikh Russel and the cutting of a special cake celebrating his 60th birthday.
