foreign-affairs
New Delhi mission pays homage to Bangamata
Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Sunday paid homage to Bangamata Fazilatun Nessa Mujib on the occasion of her birth anniversary.
Bangamata Fazilatun Nessa Mujib was assassinated along with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most members of her family on the brutal night of August 15 in 1975.
The 91st birth anniversary of Fazilatun Nessa Mujib was observed with due solemnity through holding of discussion and placing wreaths at her portraits at Bangabandhu Corner at the chancery building.
High Commissioner Muhammad Imran led the officers and staff of the mission in laying the wreaths.
Tokyo Mission celebrates 91st birth anniversary of Bangamata
Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan Shahabuddin Ahmed on Sunday recalled the memory of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib and said that she was the center of all inspiration for Bangabandhu.
"She remained as a shadow with Bangabandhu all through her life," said the Ambassador, adding that Bangamata was an ideal woman imbued with patriotism, dedications, sacrifices and farsightedness that new generation specially women should learn from her.
Read:Five women receive 'Bangamata Begum Fazilatun Nesa Mujib Award'
Today is the 91st birth anniversary of Bangamata Fazilatun Nesa Mujib, wife of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Embassy of Bangladesh in Tokyo observed the day with due respect at the Bangabandhu auditorium of the Mission.
ASEAN countries urged to help expedite Rohingya repatriation efforts
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Sunday urged the ASEAN member states to intervene in the Rohingya issue and help expedite their repatriation to Myanmar.
"For the last four years, there is no violence in the Rakhaine State, yet none of the displaced people of Myanmar returned to their homes mostly because of fear of uncertainty and trust defect," he said.
Read: Bangladesh receives $590 million World Bank financing to tackle Rohingya situation
Dr Momen was addressing a virtual programme on the occasion of the 54th ASEAN Day organized by ASEAN Dhaka Committee.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Haznah Md Hashim, High Commissioner of Malaysia and Chair of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee, Haji Haris bin Haji Othman, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam; Rina P. Soemarno, Ambassador of Indonesia; Aung Kyaw Moe, Ambassador of Myanmar; Pham Viet Chien, Ambassador of Vietnam; Panom Thongprayoon, Chargé d’Affaires, Royal Thai Embassy; Leo Marco C. Vidal, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the Philippines; Sheela Pillai, Head of Mission of the Singapore Consulate, Dhaka; Foreign Ministry officials and diplomats from ASEAN member countries joined.
Dr Momen said ASEAN should work together to address their lack of trust and uncertainty and facilitate their safe repatriation.
The prolonged presence of such a huge number of displaced people entails serious ramification on the economy, environment, security, and socio-political stability of not only Bangladesh but the entire region including the ASEAN, he said.
Dr Momen said they need to make a tangible progress in terms of a safe, secure and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland, Myanmar.
Myanmar agreed to take back their displaced people from Bangladesh and agreed to provide them safety and security and also to create a conducive environment in the Rakhaine State for their return but the pledge remains unmet.
Out of a humanitarian consideration, the Foreign Minister said, Bangladesh is sheltering to 1.1 million Myanmar nationals who were forcibly evicted from their homeland.
Dr Momen said ASEAN is standing at a crossroad of previous success and future opportunities.
Read: Repatriation is the only solution, not integration: FM about Rohingya crisis
Bangladesh considers it crucial to maintain regional peace, stability and security if the region is to attain full potential, he said.
Bangladesh says it is willing to work with ASEAN for the betterment of the people of this entire region and attain the shared vision of future prosperity.
Bangladesh, being located between ASEAN and SAARC, provides a lot of opportunities and potentials to furthering trade, investment and wide economic relations with the ASEAN countries, Dr Momen said.
Bangladesh applied for the status of Secretarial Dialogue Partner of ASEAN, which if received, can add impetus in Bangladesh’s role in bridging these two important regions of the world.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) brings together ten countries with over 660 million people, about 9% of the world’s population, and a combined gross domestic product of more than USD 2.5 trillion.
Throughout the last 50 years, Dr Momen said, the ASEAN has transformed from a loosely constructed regional organization to one of the major players in the world encompassing almost all countries in Southeast Asia.
With its unique geographical location, Bangladesh can act as a “bridge” between South Asia and South East Asia acting as a gateway to the land locked countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Northeast India for the ASEAN countries, Dr Momen said.
The ASEAN Dhaka Committee (ADC) hosted the 54th ASEAN Day to commemorate the founding of ASEAN on 8 August 1967.
Under the national Chairmanship of Brunei Darussalam, the theme for 2021 is “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”.
Read: Bangladesh against any idea leading to Rohingya integration: FM
Haznah Md Hashim highlighted the achievement of ASEAN, after 54 years since its establishment, in bringing peace and prosperity to the region, and that ASEAN has been working together in finding a sustainable response to the current pandemic.
She reiterated the significance of ASEAN-Bangladesh relations, and that the ADC will continue to play an active and constructive role as the bridge for the ASEAN Member States in engaging the host government.
Bangladesh Mission in Maldives arranges voluntary blood donation prog
With the collaboration of Maldives Red Crescent and Maldivian Blood Service, a voluntary blood donation programme was held on Saturday at the Bangladesh High Commission premises in the Maldives.
It was arranged marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of Independence of Bangladesh.
A significant number of expatriate Bangladeshis and Maldivian nationals donated blood.
Covid-19: Bangladesh sends medicines to Indonesia
The government has extended supply of medicines to Indonesia in its efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
The consignment of the essential COVID-19 medicines has already reached Jakarta where the Coronavirus has taken a serious toll recently.
These medicines, sent in spirit of friendship, have been provided as per the directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday.
Also read: BNP sends medicines, medical equipment to Palestine
Photo exhibition begins in London marking birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal
A weeklong photo exhibition has begun at Bangladesh High Commission in London marking the 72nd birth anniversary of valiant freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal.
State Minister for Youth and Sports Md Zahid Ahsan Russel inaugurated the exhibition that will remain open for all till August 13. He also joined the virtual discussion held on Thursday.
Read: Walton gets Sheikh Kamal sports award
Bangladesh High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem presided over the function titled “Shaheed Captain Sheikh Kamal: Remembering a Valiant Freedom Fighter.”
Bangladeshi-born British writer, journalist, columnist, political analyst and poet Abdul Gaffar Choudhury, among others, spoke.
They paid homage to valiant freedom fighter Captain Sheikh Kamal who was assassinated along with Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most members of his family on the brutal night of August 15 in 1975.
The speakers highlighted the life and work of Sheikh Kamal and recalled his exceptional capacity to organize sports, art and music after the 1971 War of Liberation.
Read: New Delhi mission pays homage to Sheikh Kamal
The 72nd birth anniversary of Sheikh Kamal was observed with due solemnity through holding of discussions and placing wreaths at his portraits at home and abroad.
Doa was offered seeking divine blessing for Sheikh Kamal and his family.
Dhaka calls for ASEAN leaders’ concerted efforts to tackle regional challenges
Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has emphasized on collective efforts by the ASEAN leaders in tackling challenges faced by ASEAN region.
He made the call while delivering his speech on Friday at the 28th Meeting of ASEAN Regional Forum, virtually held n Brunei Darussalam under the theme “We Care, We Prepare, We Prosper”.
Foreign Minister Momen assured of Bangladesh’s continuous support to the ARF initiatives.
He appraised the forum how Bangladesh is playing role in dealing with climate challenges.
Momen called for united action by the leaders to accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement to advance global climate progress.
Momen and other Foreign Ministers had a substantive exchange of views on possible areas of collaboration and cooperation i.e. Rohingya refugee crisis, climate change, nuclear proliferation, cyber security and other regional issues.
He expressed hope that under the dynamic leadership of ARF, the developing countries of this region would come forward with good governance and stronger economy.
While presenting an overview of Bangladesh’s role in tackling Covid-19, he emphasized on vaccines to be a public good and its technology should be shared and available to all countries to produce it at an affordable price.
Read: UK becomes Dialogue Partner of ASEAN
Dr. Momen raised that although Bangladesh is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention nor its 1967 Protocol still Bangladesh is providing shelter to the 1.1 million Rohingya refugees considering humanitarian ground only.
Sacrificing 6800 acres of her sovereign forest land Bangladesh is not in a position to shoulder the burden for an indefinite period, he added.
Iranian President lauds Bangladesh's robust development
Newly-elected President of Iran Ayatollah Dr Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi has appreciated the robust economic development of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam had a meeting with President Raisi on Friday that lasted for 20 minutes.
Read:Indian sends 30 ambulances to Bangladesh
Earlier, Alam who led a three-member Bangladesh delegation, attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly-elected Iranian president.
During the meeting, the president of Iran recalled his visit to Bangladesh 20 years back, particularly mentioned about his visit to Jashore.
President Raisi expressed his gratitude to President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for congratulating him on his election as president.
‘Hiroshima Day' always reminds importance of peace: Envoy
Japanese Ambassador in Dhaka Naoki Ito has said the “Hiroshima Day" will keep inspiring people, especially the young generation, to become aware of the atomic bomb tragedies and the importance of peace.
"I hope that we, the people of Japan and Bangladesh, stand together to make this world more peaceful and harmonious for all," he said in a message marking the day that falls on August 6.
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Ambassador Ito said he genuinely appreciates Bangladeshi people who have shown sympathy to the victims and expressed compassionate views for world peace.
Today marks the 76th anniversary of the tragedy in Hiroshima, the day when the atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima in 1945.
"Since I came to Bangladesh in October 2019, I’ve been touched to realize so many Bangladeshi people know about the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and devote themselves to advocacy for peace," said the Ambassador.
The atrocity of the atomic bomb and even SASAKI Sadako’s paper cranes are in the textbooks for elementary schools.
The Ambassador said he knows many Bangladeshi people commemorate the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6th as Hiroshima Day.
Read: With eye on 3 SEZs, Japan wants to boost its investment in Bangladesh
"That compassion the citizens of Bangladesh shown to the tragedies in Japan means a lot to us. Thus this `Hiroshima Day’ in Bangladesh is significant for our long-standing friendship and partnership."
As humanitarian crises and pandemics spread across national borders, it seems that it is becoming more and more essential to share thoughts about peace and human tragedies and to show solidarity across our global community.
The Ambassador said, "Today, I reverently express my sincere condolences to the souls of the great number of atomic bomb victims. It is inscribed on the monument for atomic bomb victims in Hiroshima that “Let all the souls here rest in peace, for we shall not repeat the evil.”
The tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki must never be repeated, he said.
Read: Japan to grab any opportunity to resolve Rohingya crisis for regional stability
As the only country that has experienced the horror of nuclear weapons, Japan has the mission to work closely with other countries and citizens toward realizing a world free of nuclear weapons.
"It has been 76 years since the atomic bombs were dropped in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As the number of survivors is getting fewer each year, it is all the more critical for us to remember the tragedies and inhumanity of using nuclear weapons, and pass the lessons we have learned on to future generations beyond borders," he said.
Foreign Minister condoles Monjur's death
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has condoled the death of Monjur Ahmed Chowdhury.
Chowdhury, a friend of former Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, passed away at the age of 87 on Thursday in the US, where he had been staying with his sons for many years.
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"He was a big donor, who had been financially supporting Khurram College in Sylhet for years," said Dr Momen.
Chowdhury was the son-in-law of late Maulvi Abdul Matin Chowdhury, a journalist, a Muslim League leader, and an MLA from Assam (now in India) during the British Raj who had tried to convince Md Ali Jinnah to include Assam in Pakistan, he said.