The High Commissioner for Bangladesh to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem has expressed her deep shock and sorrow at the death of former Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith. “I am profoundly shocked and deeply saddened by the passing away of Bangladesh's longest serving Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith," he said in a condolence message, adding that "Our nation has suffered an irreparable loss and our country, one of the greatest sons of her soil." Muhith, a veteran civil servant was amongst the first diplomats in the then Pakistan Embassy in Washington DC to pledge his allegiance to independent Bangladesh upon declaration of independence by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971.  "Throughout the War of Liberation of 1971, Muhith played a vital role in mobilizing global support for recognition of Independent Bangladesh," she said. Also read: Tearful adieu to AMA Muhith An awardee of the Swadhinata Puroskar, Muhith was an uncompromising proponent of Bengalee nationalism, and a torchbearer of secular and progressive pro-liberation values. "An astute Finance Minister of the country and a welfare economist at heart who placed a record number of national budgets at the Bangladesh Parliament, Muhith worked tirelessly under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in attaining Bangladesh's unprecedented growth and prosperity over the past decade," said the High Commissioner.  Born of an eminent Muslim family in Sylhet, Muhith was a devout patriot and a celebrated politician who dedicated his life to public service and the welfare of the people of Bangladesh.  A Harvard graduate and a man of letters and knowledge, Muhith’s numerous publications on governance continue to guide today’s public servants and academia alike, she said.   Also read: Muhith: A gifted economist who was a prolific writer! A leading patron of Bengalee art and culture and an enlightened spirit, Muhith’s legacy will continue to inspire generations to come, said the High Commissioner.  "I pray to the Almighty for the eternal salvation of the departed soul of late AMA Muhith and convey my deepest condolences to the members of his bereaved family and his loved ones. May ALLAH SWT grant him Jannatul Ferdaus. Ameen.”

High Commissioner for Bangladesh to the UK and Ireland Saida Muna Tasneem along with Canary Warf Group Chairman and CEO Sir George Iacobescu CBE have inaugurated the special lighting of the UK’s second tallest building in London’s high-profile business district Canary Warf in red and green, marking the 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence. The national anthems of Bangladesh and the UK were played and the podium and nearby waterfront were magnificently illuminated in red and green, marking the occasion, said a media release on Wednesday night. While lighting up the ‘One Canada Square, the Canary Warf Group’s headquarters recently, High Commissioner Saida Muna Tasneem said, “I am delighted to illuminate the most important building in the historic borough of Tower Hamlets where Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman made several visits, including his historic visit in 1969. Tower Hamlets is also the home to the largest British-Bengali community in the UK.” She said the Bangladesh flag was raised at the Westminster Abbey, Tower Hamlets Mayor office known as Town Hall and Bromley Public Hall at Tower Hamlets at the initiative of the London High Commission on the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.