JEDDAH — Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh observed Armed Forces Day 2018 by paying homage to the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the martyrs of the liberation war in 1971. On the occasion of the day a reception program was arranged by mission’s defense wing at diplomatic quarter in Riyadh recently.

Maj. Gen. Mohammed Alaofi from Royal Saudi Land Forces of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was the chief guest at the event while ambassadors, defense attaches and diplomats from other missions also attended the program. Non-resident Bangladeshis also attended the reception program, according to statement issued by the embassy.

Bangladesh Ambassador Golam Moshi welcomed the guests at the event. He was accompanied by Deputy Chief of Mission Dr. Md. Nazrul Islam and Defense Attaché Brig. Gen. Shah Alam Chowdhury.

To mark the day, Ambassador Moshi said that this day in 1971 the combined forces of Bangladesh army, navy and air force launched a concerted effort to put down the occupation army.

“On this very day armed forces of Bangladesh took a ceremonious birth. Although Nov. 21, 1971, is marked to be the raising day of the Bangladesh armed forces, the Bengali members of army, navy and air force conducted operations in their respective domains against the occupation forces from March 26, 1971,” the ambassador added.

Ambassador Moshi said that Bangladesh is committed to promote global peace and stability. Keeping this end in view, Bangladesh Armed Forces have been taking part in the UN Peacekeeping Operations since 1988. Footprints of Bangladeshi peacekeepers are evident in almost all the troubled areas of the world, starting from Haiti to East Timor and from Georgia to Namibia.

Moshi said Bangladesh glorious role in peacekeeping mission has enabled them to be one of the major “troops contributing” countries. He recalled with deep gratitude that 142 of soldiers and officers lost their lives and more than 250 were wounded during peacekeeping operations under UN mandate, the statement said.

Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina over the past ten years, Bangladesh has achieved sustained economic growth, structural transformation and remarkable social progress, the ambassador said. He also stated that during Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s several visits to Saudi Arabia in recent time, she has assured all support and cooperation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including deployment of Bangladeshi soldiers to protect Two Holy sites of Islam as and when sought and required.

By mentioning the current economic strength of Bangladesh, Moshi said, we can work with the Kingdom to materialize the Saudi Vision 2030 with new engagement and cooperation in many areas including cooperation in the defense area. We hope to see stronger and robust bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia in the coming days in all areas.