DHAKA, July 16, 2025 (BSS) - State mourning was observed across the country in a befitting manner today on the occasion of July Martyrs’ Day.

Marking the day, the national flag was flown at half-mast in all government, semi-government, autonomous establishments and educational institutions of the country, including Bangladesh missions abroad.

Special prayers were offered at mosques across the country after Zuhr prayers seeking eternal peace of the July martyrs. Special prayers were also offered at other religious institutions.

Special prayers were held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque today after Zuhr prayers at 1:30pm, organised by the Islamic Foundation. Khatibs, imams, and mosque committees also arranged special doa and munajat at the instructions of the Islamic Foundation, said a press release. 

On the occasion, Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus issued a message yesterday, urging all to work together to utilise the opportunity created with the sacrifice of July martyrs aiming to build a new Bangladesh. 

"On this day, I remember with deep respect all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the July mass uprising to make the nation free from the chains of tyranny," the Chief Adviser said. 
He said the July 16, 2024 is a remarkable day in the history of the mass uprising of students, workers and commoners. 

Marking the day, a discussion was organized at the Independence Memorial Square of Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR) to mark the first martyrdom anniversary of Abu Sayeed and 'July Martyrs' Day 2025'. 

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul spoke as the guest of honor with BRUR Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali in the chair.

Md Mokbul Hossain, father of martyred Abu Sayeed, attended the event as the chief guest.

Relatives, including widows and parents of the 22 martyred families of Rangpur, were present as special guests.

Water Resources and Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan attended the event as guest of honor.

UGC Chairman Professor Dr SMA Fayez, its member Professor Dr Tanzimuddin Khan and Education Ministry’s Senior Secretary Siddique Jobayer were also present as guests of honor.

Earlier, Vice-chancellor Professor Dr Md Showkat Ali with the teachers and officials of the university visited the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed and paid respects in Babanpur village in the morning. 
 At that time, the silence around the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed was broken by tears, grief and respect since dawn. 
His parents, teachers, classmates, administration officials, political leaders and university administration officials and employees stood at the grave of martyr Abu Sayeed with flowers in their hands. 

After returning to the university campus, they wore black badges and brought out a mourning rally with participation of thousands of students of the university, teachers, officials and employees.

 Later, the two advisers with other guests laid the foundation stones of a Street Memory Stamp, martyred Abu Sayeed Gate and Museum and martyred Abu Sayeed Memorial Monument at the campus. 

 A drawing competition, a dua and milad mehfil were arranged in the afternoon.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Dal, NCP, AB Party, Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, Democratic Student Parliament and various political, social, cultural and professional leaders and students' organizations offered prayers and paid due respect to this great hero of the July Movement.

Later, foundation stones of Shaheed Abu Sayeed Gate and Museum and Shaheed Abu Sayeed Memorial Monument were laid at Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur (BRUR).

Two advisers of the interim government, along with Abu Sayeed's father Md Mokbul Hossain, inaugurated these installations to immortalize Abu Sayeed, who was killed in police firing on July 16, 204, in the anti-discrimination student movement. 

The installations are being constructed at BRUR to mark the first martyrdom anniversary of Abu Sayeed, the first martyr of the anti-discrimination movement, and to commemorate July Martyrs' Day-2025 in honour of his sacrifice.

On this day last year, Abu Sayeed, a brilliant student of the Department of English of Begum Rokeya University, was martyred after being shot in the chest by police in front of Gate No 1 of the university. 

After that, the nationwide movement gained momentum. At one stage, that movement turned into a mass uprising. 

As a result, the fascist Awami League regime fell on August 5 of that year.