By Roy Lie Atjam
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador Sahar Ghanem of Yemen, started her presentation by sharing fond memories about the time working with Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah, particularly mentioning the delightful mangoes and traditional cuisine from Bangladesh that she enjoyed.
She commended Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah as an inspiring leader, an outstanding diplomat, and a multitasker.
The reception took place on 3 July 2024, attended by a concise group of fellow Ambassadors, business people, academics, friends, and a Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs representative.
On behalf of all the diplomats in The Hague, the Dean extended her best wishes to Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah for his future undertakings.
During the event, Ambassador Sahar Ghanem, as the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, presented departing Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah with a farewell gift – a decorative memento made of Dutch porcelain (Delfts Blauw).
Ms. Annemarie van der Heijden, Head of the South Asia and Southeast Asia Division at the Asia and Oceania Department of the Dutch MFA, also praised Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah for his exceptional engagement with various groups of people across the Netherlands during his tenure, not just in politics and culture, but also in academia and business.
Ambassador Riaz Hamidullah expressed his gratitude to his fellow Envoys and also conveyed his appreciation to his current and former colleagues at the Embassy, including Nawrid Sharmin and Kazi Russen Pervez.
In conclusion, guests were treated to a lovely Bangladeshi Lunch.
