In Riyadh, Ambassador Mohammed Shahidul Islam hoisted the country's flag before a large gathering of community members. Besides embassy officials, principal, staff, students and directors of the board of management of the Bangladeshi schools in the capital, officials from Biman Airlines and community members were present at the flag-hoisting ceremony.

The choir from the Bangladesh International School (English Section) in Riyadh recited the national anthem with other participants. The morning events included recitation from the Holy Qur’an and reading of the messages issued by the President Mohammed Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.

In their messages, the leaders of the nation recalled with gratitude the supreme sacrifices made by the thousands of martyrs and freedom fighters for the sake of their country. They made a call for  Bangladesh overseas workers to work together for the nation's development toward achieving  peace, progress and prosperity in Bangladesh. They also urged them to work jointly with persistent efforts to achieve the democratic goals of the nation.

Paying tributes to the freedom fighters, Ambassador Islam said Bangladeshis in the Kingdom should renew their commitment and reinforce efforts to build a better nation where people could live in peace and prosperity.

“We have to translate the dream of Father of the Nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman into action for the progress and prosperity of Bangladesh,” the envoy said, adding that he hoped the 1.5 million Bangladeshis in the Kingdom would contribute their best to uplift the image of the country in this part of the globe. He said that his country had performed remarkably well in international forums.

“Bangladesh has successfully attended some 20 international events during the past two years,” he said, adding that such participation has contributed a great deal toward the nation's development. 

In the evening, Islam and his wife Shahnaz hosted a reception at the Tuwaiq Palace in Riyadh's Diplomatic Quarter to mark the event. Senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and community members were present to greet the hosts.

In Jeddah, Consul General Mohamed Nazmul Islam hoisted the national flag in the midst of a representative gathering.

He said: “Achievement of liberation is the most glorious episode in the national history of Bangladesh, for which millions had to make the supreme sacrifice of martyrdom during a nine-month armed struggle. I pay tributes to the martyrs, valiant freedom fighters and visionary leaders, who had mooted the idea of freedom and relentlessly worked for the country.” He added that this independence not meant to be fought and it should be made more meaningful for the good of the nation.  He also took the opportunity of thanking Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and his government for his unstinting cooperation to boost the bilateral ties of the two countries.

The consul general and his wife Nuzhath hosted a dinner reception at the Holiday Inn Jeddah to the community members and members of the diplomatic corps and senior government officials.