The Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh commemorated the Great Martyrs Day and International Mother Language Day at the chancery premises in a befitting manner. The day's program started with the ceremonial hoisting of the National Flag at half mast by the Charge d'affaires & Deputy Chief of the Mission, Minister Dr. Mohammed Nazrul Islam, of Bangladesh Embassy. Then officers and staff of the embassy placed the wreath at the Shaheed Minar, constituted recently at the Embassy premises. Bangladeshi political and social organization in Riyadh also placed wreaths at the Shaheed Minar. Honoring the day, a discussion program started with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an and proceeded with reading out of the messages of the president, prime minister, foreign minister and the state minister for foreign affairs of Bangladesh. Several hundreds of expats including freedom fighters, teachers and students of Bangladesh International Schools in Riyadh attended the ceremony. In their speeches, speakers from the different representative groups paid tribute and honor to the martyrs who made supreme sacrifices on this day for mother language. They also paid homage to the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and highlighted his legendary leadership in the Language Movement. Dr. Nazrul Islam, in his speech called upon all Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia to work hard to enhance the image of Bangladesh in the Kingdom and contribute to the continuing economic growth of Bangladesh. Highlighting the significance and spirit of the day, he underlined the need for renewing the commitment and reinforcing concerted efforts for the development of Bangladesh. He also urged the Bangladesh community in the Kingdom to uphold the spirit of the language movement and enlighten themselves to build a glorious future under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On the occasion at the premises of the Embassy a ‘photo exhibition of Bangabandhu' was organized by Awami Shechashebok League Riyadh, which was opened by Dr. Nazrul Islam. To commemorate the day Riyadh Bangla Writers Forum arranged a ‘Book Exhibition' with a rich collection of Bangla books and magazines on language movement and Liberation War at the Embassy, which was also inaugurated by the CDA. Both stalls will run till the end of February at the Embassy premises for viewing. A special prayer was organized on seeking salvation for the departed souls of the valiant great martyrs of the language movement and departed heroes of our independence. — SG
