Grave visit, floral tributes and prayer mahfil at Shah Amanat (R.A.) shrine commemorates legend of development movement
An unforgettable name in the history, heritage, development and struggle for the rights of the masses of Chittagong is the heroic freedom fighter, social worker, public leader and pioneer of the Greater Chittagong Development Movement, Chattalbandhu S. M. Jamal Uddin. His 17th death anniversary was observed today, July 18, with deep respect, love and dignity by the Chittagong Citizens Forum and the Greater Chittagong Unnayan Sangram Committee. On this occasion, various programs were organized from morning to evening. The program was led by the Secretary General of the Chittagong Citizens Forum and the Joint Secretary General of the Greater Chittagong Unnayan Sangram Committee, Md. Kamal Uddin.
In the morning, the leaders and activists gathered at the family graveyard of the deceased in Madarsha village of Hathazari upazila. There, they paid tribute through recitation of the Holy Quran, grave visit, wreath laying and special prayers. All those present observed a minute of silence and paid deep respect to the memory of this great leader.
At this time, the speakers said that S. M. Jamal Uddin was a man who always prioritized the interests of the greater Chittagong over his personal interests. He was brave, fearless and uncompromising in every chapter of politics, social service, labor movement and development struggle. S. M. Farhad Ali, Md. Ali Ripon, Zafar, Mohammad Noor, Harun, Md. Nurul Huda Chowdhury, Debu Prasad Debu, Md. Jasim Chowdhury, Jiku, Md. Bashir, Parvez, Rashel and other leaders of various social, cultural and professional organizations of Chittagong were present at the grave visit ceremony. In the afternoon, after Asr, a heart-touching prayer and memorial service was held at the premises of the historic Hazrat Shah Amanat Shah (RA) Shrine. There, special prayers and prayers were conducted seeking forgiveness for the soul of the late S. M. Jamal Uddin. The leaders present shared various memories of his active life. A message read at the event by Barrister Monowar Hossain, Chairman of the London-based Chittagong Citizens Forum, said: “S. M. Jamal Uddin was a man of the hearts of the people of Chittagong. He was a symbol of militant politics, a bearer of the spirit of the Liberation War and one of the pioneers of the development movement. His leadership, honesty, patriotism and sacrifice still inspire us today. We can pay true tribute to him only by realizing his dream for the development of greater Chittagong.”
Barrister Monowar Hossain also said that it is necessary to highlight the life philosophy of S. M. Jamal Uddin to today’s generation. Because he was a leader who did politics not for power but for the welfare of the people. The speakers at the memorial said that S. M. Jamal Uddin’s contribution to every important chapter of Bangabandhu’s six-point movement, the great liberation war, the labor movement, the establishment of democracy and the development movement of Chittagong will be written in golden letters in history. He was a symbol of the trust of the people of Chittagong and the undisputed voice of the development movement. Secretary General Md. Kamal Uddin said in his speech, “Chattalbandhu S. M. Jamal Uddin was our guide. His ideals, honesty, patriotism and love for Chittagong will always inspire us. We will continue the movement to build a developed, prosperous and modern Chittagong of his dream.”
At the end of the day-long program, everyone present prayed for the peace of the deceased’s soul and pledged to work together to implement his ideals.
S. M. Jamal Uddin is the name of a bright chapter in the history of Chittagong’s development struggle. People pass away with the passage of time, but their work, ideals and contributions live on from generation to generation. Chattalbandhu S. M. Jamal Uddin is also an immortal personality, whose memory will remain indelible in the hearts of the people of Chittagong forever.