Dhaka: The ruling Awami League has organised an elaborate programme in observance of its 66th founding anniversary on Tuesday.

The party was floated as Awami Muslim League by secular, progressive and young Muslim League leaders at a two-day political workers conference at the historic Rose Garden at Abhoy Das Lane in the Old City on June 23-24 in 1949, later it was renamed as Awami League to be flourished as a secular political party.

At the first council of the party, Moulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhasani, Shamsul Huq and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Later Bangabandhu and Father of the Nation) were elected as its president, general secretary and joint secretary respectively.

Terming the party as the oldest political organisation of the country, Awami League general secretary Syed Ashraful Islam said in its journey of seven decades, Awami League remains the torch bearer for the nation’s emancipation, peace, prosperity and change.

He said Awami League has never given the nation false assurance and it has implemented whatever necessary for the nation at the right time. In observance of its 66th founding anniversary, the ruling Awami League has chalked out a daylong elaborate programme which include hoisting of national and party flags atop party offices across the country at dawn and placing of wreaths at the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at about 7:00am.

National and party flags will be hoisted on the premises of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi Road 32 in Dhaka at about 7:15am with the rendering of the national anthem while white pigeons and balloons will be released from the venue on the occasion.

Besides, a discussion will be held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in the city at about 3:00pm to mark the 66th founding anniversary of the party.

Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will chair the discussion to be addressed by party stalwarts and prominent personalities of the country.

In a statement today, Awami League general secretary and LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam called upon the leaders-workers-supporters of the party and its associate and like-minded bodies to observe the party’s founding anniversary following the announced programmes.