Tripoli: On Thursday, February 22, 2025, the Lebanese city of Tripoli witnessed a distinguished cultural event organized by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Lebanon in cooperation with the Elite Center for Culture and Education, on the occasion of International Mother Language Day and Martyrs' Day in Bangladesh.
According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the event was held at the Elite Center head office and attended by a crowd of official, cultural, and media figures, including the Charg© d'Affaires at the Embassy of Bangladesh, Mr. Mohammad Anwar Hossain, and his wife, Mrs. Maimuna Tsanem Muna. Other notable attendees included MP Ashraf Rifi, Mayor of Tripoli Dr. Riad Yamq, former MP Dr. Rami Fanj, former Mayor of Mina Abdul Qader Alam El-Din, Captain Munther Kabbara, and Head of the Elite Center, Ms. Iman Darniqa Al-Kamali. The event was also graced by the presence of the Charg© d'Affaires of the Philippine Embassy, Dr. Mark Joshua P. Ponce, and the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Farhad Golozadi.
The celebration included various cultural segments reflecting the richness of Bangladeshi culture. Mrs. Maimuna Tsanem Muna from the Embassy of Bangladesh presented the segments, starting with the Lebanese and Bengali national anthems, followed by a minute of silence for the language martyrs in Bangladesh. A series of videos and songs showcased the importance of preserving the mother tongue, further emphasizing the cultural significance of the event.
In her opening speech, the President of the Elite Center, Iman Dernaika Kamali, welcomed the attendees and expressed her appreciation for the cooperation of the Embassy of Bangladesh in organizing the event. She highlighted the struggle of the Bangladeshi people for their mother tongue, noting that language is the soul of a nation and a spiritual homeland. Kamali also underscored the pride in the Arabic language, calling for the promotion of values such as openness, tolerance, and respect.
MP Ashraf Rifi, the guest of honor, praised the efforts in organizing the event and lauded Dr. Dernaika for her professionalism. He emphasized the significance of the Bengali language's struggle, drawing parallels to other national struggles for identity and sovereignty, including those of Lebanon and Palestine.
The Charg© d'Affaires of the Embassy of Bangladesh, Mohammad Anwar Hossain, honored the martyrs of the Bangladeshi language movement, attributing their efforts to the birth of Bangladesh as a state. He praised Tripoli as a cultural hub and acknowledged the Elite Center's role in fostering cultural exchange and understanding.
The event concluded with the presentation of honorary shields to key figures, including the head of the Elite Center, Iman Dernaika Kamali, Representative Ashraf Rifi, and the mayors of Tripoli and Mina. A model of the ancient clock of Al-Tall was gifted to the Embassy of Bangladesh as a token of appreciation. Attendees enjoyed a craft exhibition and a display of Bengali cultural items, along with traditional Bengali food and sweets, which added a distinctive flavor to the celebration.