By Roy Lie A Tjam.
The Bangladesh mission in the Netherlands observed National Mourning Day in a solemn ceremony at the Chancellery on Monday 15 August 2016. As of 1996, 15 August the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was declared National Day of Mourning. It is marked with solemn official ceremonies.
On 15 August in 1975, Bangladesh’s architect Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and most of his family were assassinated at his home by soldiers in one of the bloodiest political assassinations ever.
The Bangladesh mission in The Hague in a statement said the observance of the day included the hoisting of the national flag at half-mast, the observance of one-minute silence.
Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal.
Messages from the President, the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and state Minister for Foreign Affairs, were read out, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Ambassador to the Netherlands also addressed the audience. In his address Ambassador Belal highlighted various aspects of the life of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his contribution for the nation.
Ambassador Belal narrated on how Bangabandhu laid the foundation of Bangladesh’s Foreign Policy and elevated himself to the towering personalities of a globalized world during his only 44 months long statesmanship.
Accordingly, Ambassador Belal, likewise previous year, urged the Bangladeshi community in the Netherlands to contribute in this regard for establishing Bangabandhu Chair in any university in the Netherlands.
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Highlighting the ongoing development spree in the country, under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Ambassador Belal shared with the audience updates on the follow up works following Prime Minister’s visit to the Netherlands in November 2015.
His Excellency informed the audience that the embassy is working, for organising a single country trade fair tilted “Dutch Bangla Trade Fair 2016” in the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam on September 28-29, 2016 as well as a “Travel Fair” in The Hague in October 2016.
Ambassador Belal also shared with the audience a list of upcoming events primarily as a follow up to Hon. Prime Minister’s visit to the Netherlands.
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Roy Lie A Tjam, from Diplomat Magazine.
The mission also screened a documentary on “Life and Work of Bangbandhu”. The mission’s officials, expatriate Bangladeshis and friends took part in the commemoration.
At the end of the programme, prizes were distributed by Dr. Dilruba Nasrin, wife of Ambassador Belal, before her rendering vote of thanks. Lunch was served to the attendees.
