Bahyiah Bakir
His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday attended a meeting with Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid and a state banquet hosted by the president on the occasion of His Majesty’s first state visit to Bangladesh.
The monarch also received a courtesy call from Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar.
His Majesty headed to Bangabhaban to attend a meeting with the president. The monarch was greeted by Secretary to the President Sampad Barua and Military Secretary to the President Major General S M Salahuddin Islam.
His Majesty was accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen.
The royal entourage with the president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina then headed to the banquet hall for a state banquet.
Before leaving Bangabhaban, His Majesty was bade farewell by the president and prime minister.
Earlier in the evening, the monarch received a courtesy call from the Minister of Foreign Affairs who welcomed His Majesty to Dhaka and discussed potential cooperation to enhance and strengthen the relations between both countries.
The monarch also visited the National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar and was greeted upon arrival by Minister for Liberation War Affairs AKM Mozammel Huq; State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed; and State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman.
His Majesty laid a wreath on the memorial and was invited to plant a sapling.
The National Martyrs’ Memorial was set up in the memory of those who died in the Bangladesh War of Independence of 1971.
Earlier, the royal entourage was welcomed on arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport by Bangladesh President Mohammad Abdul Hamid; Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi as Minister-in-Attendance; and Bangladesh High Commissioner to Brunei Darussalam Nahida Rahman Shumona. Minister of Foreign Affairs II Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Erywan bin Pehin Datu Pekerma Jaya Haji Mohd Yusof and Brunei Darussalam High Commissioner to Bangladesh Haji Haris bin Haji Othman were also present.
His Majesty’s arrival was welcomed with 21-gun salute. The monarch and the president then headed to the special dais for the welcoming ceremony, which began with the national anthems of both countries.
His Majesty was then invited by the guard commander to inspect the guard of honour mounted by members of the Bangladeshi armed forces.
The monarch was later introduced to Bangladesh Cabinet ministers, followed by the introduction of the Bruneian delegation to the president.
Earlier, a Doa Selamat was recited by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned prior to His Majesty leaving Istana Nurul Iman.
His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah; and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were present at His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight Hangar in Rimba to bid farewell to His Majesty.
Also present at His Majesty the Sultan’s Flight Hangar to bid farewell to His Majesty were Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran-Pengiran Cheteria; Special Advisor to His Majesty; the Speaker of the Legislative Council; Cabinet ministers; deputy ministers; the Commissioner of the Royal Brunei Police Force; and the Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces.
The state visit from October 15-16, is held at the invitations of the president as well as prime minister.
Diplomatic relations between Brunei and Bangladesh were established on May 5, 1984, in which both countries cooperate extensively in various areas including defence, education, health, trade and energy.
