Bangladesh Marks Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Death Anniversary for the First Time in Historic Event

In an unprecedented move, Bangladesh commemorated the 76th death anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, at a special event held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday. This marked the first time Jinnah’s death anniversary was officially observed in the country.

The event featured Urdu songs and poetry, with speakers paying tribute to Jinnah’s pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan. They emphasized that without Jinnah, Pakistan would not have come into existence, and without Pakistan, Bangladesh might not exist today.

Although the Pakistani High Commissioner to Bangladesh was unable to attend as the chief guest, Deputy High Commissioner Kamran Dhangal represented Pakistan at the event. In his address, Dhangal praised Jinnah’s leadership, highlighting his significant contributions through the All India Muslim League and the broader movement for Muslim autonomy in the Indian subcontinent.

Professor Dr. Mostafizur Rahman presented a keynote address, reflecting on Jinnah’s life, from his birth to his crucial role in shaping the future of the region. Urdu poetry dedicated to Jinnah was also recited by Jafarul Haq Jafar, while Pakistani students studying in Dhaka, Mohammad Tahir and Kamran Abbas, performed Urdu songs honoring the leader.

One of the speakers, Samsuddin, drew historical parallels, remarking that if Bangladesh had not been part of Pakistan in 1947, the region might have faced a situation akin to Kashmir’s present-day struggles under Indian control. “Bangladesh gained independence because of Pakistan, which Jinnah helped create,” he remarked.

Samsuddin also questioned the renaming of landmarks like Allama Iqbal Hall and Jinnah Avenue, asserting that such changes were influenced by Delhi, but did not reflect the will of the Bangladeshi people. He urged Bangladesh to strengthen ties with Pakistan and China.

Another speaker, Nazrul Islam, stressed the need to honor Jinnah’s legacy, noting that while Bangladesh is now independent, it owes its existence to the creation of Pakistan. “Jinnah is the father of our nation in many ways, but we fail to acknowledge it,” he said, expressing hope that Jinnah’s birth and death anniversaries will continue to be observed in the future.

Md Shakhawat, another attendee, spoke of Jinnah’s crucial role in ending the political strife of the Indian subcontinent post-1757, stating that Jinnah’s leadership in 1947 helped secure the future of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh). “If Jinnah had not taken responsibility for this region, we would have remained part of India like West Bengal,” he noted.

The event underscored the importance of reflecting on shared history and fostering stronger relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan.