THE Bangladesh high commission in London has organised an event to commemorate the historic maiden visit of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of Bangladesh, to the UK on 8 January 1972.
Sheikh Mujib travelled to Britain en route his heroic homecoming to independent Bangladesh following his release from nine month long imprisonment in Pakistan.
The event titled 'Bangabandhu & Britain: And the Historic 8 January' was attended by Bangladesh foreign minister Dr A K Abdul Momen, high commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem, British Foreign and Development Office (FCDO) minister Lord Tariq Ahmad, first minister of Wales Mark Drakeford, Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, vice chairman of the Conservative Party Nickie Aiken and shadow secretary of state Lisa Nandy MP, among others.
“Bangabandhu’s 8 January official meeting with Sir Edward Heath not only set in stone a strong Bangladesh-UK friendship to grow in leaps and bounds over the next 50 years, but also paved the way for Bangladesh’s official recognition by Britain on 4 February 1972," said Dr Momen.
Keir Starmer said, “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a great statement who spent 14 years imprisonment for fighting to establish civil, political and cultural rights of his people and leading his country towards independence.” He also recalled the meeting between Bangabandhu and former British Labour prime minister Sir Harold Wilson.
Dr Momen and Lord Ahmed jointly inaugurated the ‘Bangabandhu Library’ established at the Bangladesh High Commission, London.
A documentary on Sheikh Mujib was screened at the beginning of the event titled 'Bangabandhu and Britain: A special relationship'. It was followed by a cultural presentation of sarod recital and dance titled 'Bangabandhu the Brave heart: A Veer Rasa', by classical musician Rajrupa Chowdhury and Bangladeshi artist Sadia Islam Mou and her troupe.
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