Bangladeshi Consul General AKM Shahidul Karim, Chief of Protocol Ambassador Jamal Bakar Balkhour and the member of the Bangladesh National Parliament Hajji Rahim Ullah (MP) with others diplomat take part at the cake cutting ceremony on the 44th anniversary of Independence and National Day of Bangladesh. — Courtesy photo Rumi Sayeed
JEDDAH — The Consulate General of Bangladesh commemorated the 44th anniversary of the Independence and National Day of Bangladesh at the consulate Thursday. The day's program started off with the recitation of a few verses from the Holy Qur'an. Ceremonial hoisting of the national flag by Shahid followed the reading of the messages from the country's president, prime minister, foreign minister and state minister for foreign affairs. The consul general also shared his thoughts on the occasion. The member of the Bangladesh National Parliament Hajji Rahim Ullah was the special guest at the program. Bangladesh Consul General Shahidul Karim hoisted his country's flag in the presence of large community gathering in the morning. In the evening, Karim hosted a reception for special guests at the Crown Plaza Hotel. Chief of protocol Ministry of Foreign Affairs, KSA Jamal Bakor Balkhiour and number of diplomats, representatives of international organization attended the reception. Karim said: "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, well-wishers and to all expatriate Bangladeshi living in the Kingdom." He recalled with profound respect that the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheihk Mujibur Rahman, who steered epic struggle toward independence in 1971. "We pay homage to the memories of our martyrs of the war of liberation whose supreme sacrifice made us a free nation. We also recall with gratitude the heroic contribution of our valiant freedom fighters during the nine-month long war," said Karim. — SG
