RIYADH, 27 March 2005 — Bangladeshis living in the Kingdom celebrated their country’s 34th Independence and National Day yesterday.
In Riyadh, the celebrations started with the unfurling of the national flag by Ambassador Maj. Gen.(Retd.) S.M. Ikramul Haque before a large gathering of prominent members of the community.
In Jeddah, Consul General Ashraf Uddin hoisted the national flag.
National day messages of President Professor Dr. Iajduddin Ahmed, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan were read out by the Defense Attache Brig. Gen. Mustafizur Rahman, Deputy Chief of Mission Ali Akbar and Labor Counselor Mohammed Naseeruddin respectively.
Ambassador Haque recalled the significance of the day in the year 1971 when people called for an independent Bangladesh. “The call spontaneously rallied people from all walks of life and culminated in the freedom after nine months of bloody struggle.”
He described the Kingdom as a natural leader of the Muslim world whose moderate and prudent leadership acts as a torch bearer for the Muslim world. “Both countries are committed to further strengthening the bonds of friendship,” he added.
He claimed that one million Bangladeshis in the Kingdom help Saudi Arabia to keep the country “clean and green”. The labor force of the country keeps the roads and gardens of the Kingdom spick and span, he added. Bangladeshi expatriates remit some $ 1 billion annually to the national coffers. Their services to their motherland are well appreciated by the government of Bangladesh, he noted. “They are also making a significant contribution toward developing a climate of understanding and friendship between the two peoples.”
“Bangladeshis workers are our good will ambassadors in the Kingdom and they will do their best in the nation building of Saudi Arabia respecting the laws of the host country,” said the envoy.
Later, the ambassador hosted a grand reception at Riyadh Palace hotel, which was attended by diplomats and Saudi officials.
The Bangladesh International School in Riyadh-English Section held a special function to commemorate the day.
Treasurer Mohammed Jamaluddin hoisted Bangaldesh’s flag while school principal M.S.M. Hussein unfurled the Saudi national flag. The flag hoisting ceremony was followed by a cultural program of the students.
Bangladesh International schools (both English and Bengali sections) organized programs in Jeddah also.
