Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh observed Armed Forces Day 2022 paying homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of the liberation war in 1971. To celebrate the occasion a reception program was arranged at Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh yesterday. Air vice Marshal Pilot Khaled bin Salamah Atikullah Al Luqmani, from Saudi Ministry of Defense was the Chief Guest at the event while ambassadors, defense attaches and diplomats from different missions and Saudi high officials also attended the program. Bangladeshi expatriates living in Saudi Arabia and Embassy officials also attended the reception program. Bangladesh Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Javed Patwary, BPM (Bar) and the Defence Attaché Brigadier General Muhammad Golam Faruque welcomed the guests to the beautifully decorated premises of the Mission. In his speech Ambassador Mr. Javed Patwary said that on this day in 1971 combined forces of Bangladesh Army, Navy and Air Force took a ceremonious birth and launched a concerted effort to put down the occupation army and finally achieved victory on 16th December 1971. Although November 21, 1971 is marked to be the raising day of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, the Bengali members of army, navy and air force began operations in their respective domains against the occupation forces from March 26, 1971' the Ambassador said. Ambassador Mr. Javed Patwary said that Bangladesh is committed to promote global peace and stability. To this end, Bangladesh Armed Forces have been taking part in the UN Peacekeeping Operations since 1988. Bangladeshi Peacekeepers left their footprint in almost all the troubled areas of the world, starting from Haiti to East Timor and from Georgia to Namibia. Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Javed Patwary BPM (Bar) said Bangladesh's glorious role in peacekeeping mission has enabled them to be one of the major troops contributing countries. He recalled with deep gratitude 164 soldiers and officers who lost their lives during peace keeping operations under UN mandate. At present nearly 7000 Bangladeshi Peace Keepers are serving in different peace keeping missions around the world. Mr. Javed Patwary said "Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh achieved sustained economic growth, structural transformation and remarkable social progress" in recent years. He said, soon after our independence, our Father of the nation adopted our defense policy and started organizing Armed Forces to make it a professional force. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as also the Defence Minister has undertaken 'Forces Goal 2030' programme for modernizing our Armed Forces in all aspects. Today Bangladesh Armed Forces are well organized, confident and highly professional to safeguard the sovereignty of our country, he added. The Ambassador highlighted the trust and confidence the Armed Forces both of Bangladesh and the Kingdom enjoy. He expressed his satisfaction that Bangladesh was a proud member of Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC). The Ambassador said that the Kingdom's ambitions manifested by Vision 2030 and that of Bangladesh in its Vision 2041 are perfectly aligned and both nations have tremendous opportunity for mutual cooperation and development in all fields including defence and security. Recalling Bangladesh Prime Minister's commitment the Ambassador reaffirmed the readiness of Bangladesh Armed Forces to ensure the security and protection of the two Holy Mosques Cities – Makkah and Madinah.
