National Revolution and Solidarity Day observed in Islamabad and Ankara

Bangladesh's missions in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Ankara, Turkey, observed the historic National Revolution and Solidarity Day with due dignity on Saturday. The day's programmes in both capitals began in the morning with the hoisting of the national flag.

In Islamabad, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Pakistan Md Iqbal Hossain Khan formally hoisted the national flag on the high commission premises in the morning. Officials and staff of the high commission and expatriate Bangladeshis were present.

After the flag hoisting, the national anthem was sung in chorus. The discussion session began with a recitation from the Holy Quran. Messages from the President and the Prime Minister were read out on the occasion, and a documentary on National Revolution and Solidarity Day was screened.

Speakers at the discussion pledged to hold dear the spirit of the Sepoy-People's Revolution of November 7, 1975, in order to keep national unity intact amid Bangladesh's socio-economic, geographical and political realities.

Welcoming everyone, High Commissioner Md Iqbal Hossain Khan said martyred President Ziaur Rahman restored multiparty democracy, the rule of law and freedom of speech and the press in the country. He freed the country from a subservient foreign policy and led the nation on the path of development, progress and prosperity on the basis of Bangladeshi nationalism.

He added that Ziaur Rahman united the nation and established good governance at all levels. Inspired by the spirit of November 7, he called on everyone to work sincerely from their own positions to build a discrimination-free, exploitation-free, happy and prosperous Bangladesh. At the end of the discussion, a special prayer was offered for the country's continued peace and prosperity.

In Ankara, meanwhile, Ambassador Md Amanul Haque formally began the day's programme by hoisting the national flag on the embassy premises in the morning.

After the flag hoisting, a discussion meeting and prayer gathering were held in the embassy's conference room. The programme began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a special prayer for the welfare, peace and prosperity of the country and the nation.

In the next part of the programme, messages sent by the President and the Prime Minister on the occasion were read out. After the messages, a special documentary on the background and significance of National Revolution and Solidarity Day, sent by the Department of Films and Publications, was screened.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador Md Amanul Haque recalled the historic context of November 7, 1975, saying that through the united Sepoy-People's Revolution the country regained its independence and sovereignty in a difficult time of subservient misrule, corruption and conspiracy.

He further said that, holding on to the spirit of the great Liberation War of 1971 and the mass uprising of 2024, a democratic, just, humane and safe Bangladesh must be built on the basis of mutual respect, tolerance and unity. Finally, inspired by the spirit of November 7, he called on everyone to work for the country's progress by ending corruption, discrimination and all conspiracies, and to brighten Bangladesh's image on foreign soil. Officials and staff of the Bangladesh Embassy in Ankara were present at the programme.