The 88th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will be celebrated here and elsewhere of the country today in a befitting manner and with due respect to the great leader.

Bangladesh Awami League (AL) and its front organisations have chalked out a two-day programme to celebrate the day through holding discussion, among other programmes, on the life and struggling political career of Bangabandhu.

On March 17 in 1920, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was born in a respectable Muslim family in village Tungipara under Gopalganj district.

In a message on the eve of the day, AL acting President Zillur Rahman said Bangabandhu's departed soul would remain in peace "if we can free Bangladesh from exploitation and repression."

"Bangabandhu is one of the 20th century's front ranking world leaders, who through their charismatic leaderships have realised the rights of oppressed people and achieved their freedom," he said.

Meanwhile, Al acting General Secretary Sayed Ashraful Islam after attending the party's presidium meeting here yesterday called for announcing March 17 as a national holiday marking the birthday of Bangabandhu.

"March 17 should be declared as a national holiday, so that the whole nation can celebrate the birth anniversary of the great leader of our Independence," he told reporters.

Bangabandhu's Birthday is being observe as the National Children's Day by Awami League and its front organisations.

The two days' programmes will start with hoisting national flag and placing wreaths at the portrait of Bangabandhu at Bangabandhu Museum here today morning. Then the party leaders will leave for Tungipara to attend a Milad and Doa Mehfil to be held at his mazar.

They will also place wreaths and offer Fateha at the mazar of the great leader, a party press release said.

On March 18, a discussion will be held at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) here with AL acting President Zillur Rahman in the chair.

Party's acting General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam has urged all party leaders and workers to celebrate Bangabandhu's birth day in a befitting manner across the country.