Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The Consulate General of Bangladesh hosted a reception on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Independence & National Day to pay tributes to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country in 1971 at Crown Plaza Hotel here on Sunday. Consul General A.K.M. Shahidul Karim and his wife received Adil Abdul Rahman Baksh, chief protocol Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Makkah region, consuls general, distinguished guests, media persons and members of Bangladeshi community. The celebration began with the playing of Bangladesh and Saudi national anthems. In his welcomed speech, Karim said, "I am gratified by your gracious presence at the reception. I wish to extend my sincere greetings and warm felicitations to the brotherly people and the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to our all friends and well wishers and to all expatriate Bangladeshi nationals living in the Kingdom." He said, "On this Great Day, I recall with profound respect our Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who steered our epic struggle towards independence in 1971. We pay homage to the memories of our martyrs of the War of Liberation, whose supreme scarifies made us a free nation. We also recall with gratitude the heroic contribution of our valiant freedom fighters during the nine month long war. Karim thanked Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman, Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, Deputy Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman and the Saudi government for the generous hosting over 1.2 million Bangladeshi workers and professionals, who have been playing important and active role in the economic development of the two brotherly countries. He also expressed his deep appreciation to the government of Saudi Arabia for providing valuable support to the Haj and Umrah pilgrims. He said, "We do believe that the existing excellent brotherly relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia would continue to grow in leaps and bounds in the days ahead for the benefit of our two people." The consul general added, that since independence in 1971 we are striving hard to fulfill the vision of our great leader, the father of nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who dreamt of economic, cultural and political emancipation of his people. Under the able and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is now poised to emerge as a tolerant, pluralistic and egalitarian society, a moderate and inclusive democracy, he said. As one of the largest Muslim country Bangladesh enjoys special brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia and as one of the fastest growing economics in south Asia we are trying to establish as the next rising star in South Asia for foreign investment, Karim added. Karim congratulated all Bangladeshis living in the Kingdom for their role and contribution.
