National Genocide Day was celebrated today with due dignity at Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. On this occasion, the speeches of the President and the Prime Minister on the occasion of the day were read in the discussion ceremony organized in the auditorium of the embassy. At the beginning of the program, a minute’s silence was observed in memory of all the martyrs who died in the liberation war.
Ambassador of Bangladesh in Saudi Arabia Dr. Mohammad Javed Patwari said, according to the Blue Plan of Yahya and Bhutto, Bangladesh disarmed on March 25, 1971, to resist the ongoing movement of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the nation, to claim the rightful rights of the people of Bangladesh. Pakistani invasion forces jump on people. Brutally killed hundreds of unarmed people, writing a disgraceful chapter in human history. Bangabandhu gave the declaration of independence in the first hours of 26th March after midnight on that day which spread all over the country through the then EPR transmitter. Responding to the call of Bangabandhu, the people of Bangladesh jumped into the liberation war.
The Ambassador said, the proposal to celebrate March 25 as National Genocide Day was unanimously accepted in the National Parliament in 2017 and since then the day has been celebrated. The observance of Genocide Day is a symbol of recognition of the sacrifices of the 30 lakh martyrs who died in the liberation struggle of Bangladesh, as well as a protest against the brutal genocide of the invading Pakistani forces.
He said, there have been trials of genocide committed in different countries of the world. Various genocides have been tried, starting with the horrific genocide of World War II. Therefore, the trial and international recognition of the terrible genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in 1971 is necessaryAnd to get this recognition, the government as well as the Bangladeshi community living abroad, intellectuals, professionals all have to work together.
Deputy Chief of Mission Md Abul Hasan Mridha, Defense Attache Brigadier General Md Ghulam Farooq spoke at the ceremony conducted by Embassy Counselor Md Belal Hossain. Apart from this, Md Moazzem Hossain, a brave freedom fighter of the Bangladeshi community in Riyadh, and businessman M R Mahabub spoke at the meeting. Speakers demanded justice and international recognition for the horrific massacre at Kalra on 25 March 1971.
Zaheer Raihan’s film Stop Genocide was screened on the occasion. Apart from this, a blackout program was observed at the embassy for 1 minute from 8 pm yesterday to pay respect to the memory of the martyrs in line with Bangladesh. On the occasion, all the martyrs of the liberation war, the father of the nation and all the martyred members of his family and wished the nation well.
Special prayers are offered.