How to Pronounce Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Meaning and Context

Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, revered as Bangabandhu ("Friend of Bengal"), is the founding father and paramount architect of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. His political career, rooted in the Bengali language movement and the struggle for provincial autonomy, culminated in his leadership of the Awami League to a historic electoral victory in Pakistan's 1970 general election. When the Pakistani military refused to transfer power, Mujib delivered his definitive 7th March speech in 1971, a de facto declaration of independence that galvanized the nation. Following a brutal crackdown, the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 erupted, during which he was arrested and imprisoned in West Pakistan. Upon his release in January 1972, he returned to a newly sovereign country and served first as its first President and then as its Prime Minister, tasked with the monumental challenges of postwar reconstruction and state-building. His visionary leadership and embodiment of Bengali nationalism established a political legacy that continues to define the nation's identity and the Awami League's political dominance. His life was tragically cut short by his assassination in 1975 during a military coup, an event that remains a pivotal and somber chapter in the country's history.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct transliteration from Bengali is "Sheikh Mujibur Rahman." Common variations and errors arise from attempts to Anglicize or simplify the spelling. "Sheikh Mujib ur Rahman" or "Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rahman" are occasionally seen, inserting hyphens or spaces to reflect the Arabic-derived components of the name ("Mujib-ur-Rahman" meaning "the kindness of the Merciful"). A frequent typo or misspelling is "Mujibur Rahaman," swapping the 'h' and 'm' in the surname. Another common error is the omission of the 'h' in "Sheikh," resulting in "Sheik Mujibur Rahman." In Bengali script (শেখ মুজিবর রহমান), the name is unambiguous, but in Roman script, consistency is key for academic and formal reference. It is also important to note the honorific "Bangabandhu," which is often appended and should be spelled as a single word, though sometimes incorrectly written as "Banga Bandhu" or "Bongo Bondhu."

Example Sentences

Every schoolchild in Bangladesh can recount how Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's powerful oratory on the 7th of March, 1971, unified the Bengali people in their quest for self-determination.

Historians often debate the economic policies of Prime Minister Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in the formative years following the Liberation War.

The autobiography "The Unfinished Memoirs" provides invaluable insight into the political thoughts of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman during the early stages of the autonomy movement.

The national memorial at Tungipara is the final resting place of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, attracting countless visitors who pay their respects to the nation's founder.

Many statutes and institutions, such as the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Maritime University, stand as enduring testaments to his legacy.

The political ideology of Mujibbad (Mujibism), derived from his principles, continues to be a central pillar of the Awami League's platform.

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