"While we’re all deeply saddened at his demise, we would like to celebrate his life and cherish and remember with great affection the memories of our long association with this most beloved member of the AOFA family," reads a message of condolence sent by AOFA President CM Shafi Sami and its Secretary General Munshi Faiz Ahmad.
They said Ambassador Syed Muazzem Ali, one of Bangladesh’s brightest diplomats, served the nation with deep commitment, loyalty and patriotism.
He was a most respected mentor for several generations of Bangladeshi diplomats, who, today, carry the responsibility of representing the country abroad with great success, the message reads.
"We, the members of AOFA, are truly proud to have been his colleagues, associates and friends. May Allah grant him eternal peace in Jannah. May Allah also grant the bereaved family the strength to bear this irreparable loss with courage and fortitude," it reads.
They said the void left by the passing of Ambassador Syed Muazzem Ali will never be filled and will always shine bright in their memories as a constant source of inspiration.
Born on July 18, 1944 in Sylhet, Ali obtained Master’s Degree in Science from the University of Dhaka with first class. He joined the Pakistan Foreign Service in 1968.
He declared allegiance to the Bangladesh Government in exile in 1971, while serving in the Pakistan Embassy in Washington.
He actively worked in mobilising support for Bangladesh among influential Americans as well as among the expatriate Bangladeshis in the US.
Ambassador Ali served in Bangladesh Missions in Warsaw (1977-78), Permanent Mission to the UN in New York (1982-86). New Delhi (1986-88), He served as Consul General in Jeddah (1988-91), as Ambassador in Bhutan (1991-92), Iran (1995-98, concurrently also to Syria, Lebanon and Turkmenistan), France (1998-2000, concurrently also to Portugal).
He also served in many important capacities at the Headquarters at different times and retired as Foreign Secretary in 2001.
Subsequently he was recalled to active service and posted as High Commissioner to India from November 2014 to December 2019.
He attached high importance to training and mentoring of young diplomats and devoted considerable effort in this regard, the message reads.