RIYADH: Bangladeshi expatriates in the Kingdom celebrated their country’s Independence and National Day yesterday.
In Riyadh, Ambassador M. Fazlul Karim hoisted the country’s flag at a ceremony attended by a large number of community members. Embassy officials, principals, students, directors of the board of management of the two International Bangladesh schools- English and Bengali sections — in the capital, officials from the Biman Airlines and prominent community members were present at the ceremony.
The morning events included recitation from the Holy Qur’an, reading of the messages issued by President Mohamed Zillur Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Hasan Mahmud.
In their messages, the Bangladeshi leaders recalled the supreme sacrifices made by the freedom fighters for the sake of their country. The statements stressed that Bangladeshis working abroad should work for the nation’s development.
Paying rich tributes to the freedom fighters who rendered sacrifices for an independent nation, Ambassador Karim said Bangladeshis should renew their commitment and reinforce efforts to build a better nation where people could live in peace and prosperity.
The envoy appealed to the members of his community to be responsible in their workplaces and be loyal to their sponsors to bring good name to the country. “Your behavior in the Kingdom will project the right image of the country,” he stressed.
The students at the Bangladesh International School (English Section) in Riyadh will celebrate the event with cultural programs in the primary and post primary sections of the institution tomorrow.
In Jeddah, Consul General Mohamed Golam Sarwar hoisted the national flag at a ceremony yesterday morning. In his brief speech, 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.”
In Dhaka, tens of thousands of people visited a national memorial outside the capital to mark the day.
