UNB, Dhaka
Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali on Saturday said every effort should be made to rediscover the many episodes scattered over the many theatres about Bangladesh’s glorious Liberation War so that people can know the true history within and beyond the country.
“The Liberation War of Bangladesh will continue to inspire our people for generations – in fact for all time to come,” he said adding that stories of the Liberation War will never turn old with no ending but having only beginning.
The Foreign Minister, who was a young diplomat in the United States at that time, laid emphasis on rediscovering the episodes of the glorious Liberation War under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from the battle fields in Bangladesh to the towns and villages over six continents.
Mahmood Ali made the remarks at the inaugural ceremony of a weeklong multimedia photographic exhibition titled ‘1971: Emergence of a Nation’ at the National Art Gallery, Shilpakala Academy in the capital.
Prime Minister’s Political Affairs Adviser HT Imam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque, freedom fighter and chief adviser of Journey, Prof Dr Khandoker Bazlul Hoque and curator of 1971: Emergence of a Nation Amitabh Dewri spoke on the occasion. Diplomats from various missions in Dhaka were present.
The Foreign Minister said the exhibition is an attempt to present before the nation some aspects of greatest achievements – the Liberation War. “This presents some so far unknown or unpublished photographic images and videos of the 1971 events.”
HT Imam said many have forgotten the worst ever genocide committed in the 1971 Liberation War and even the new generation is not aware of what happened in 1971.
“You must go back to your history and must show your people who fought for liberation,” he said.
HT Imam also said the pictures and video are just a fraction of what happened during the Liberation War in 1971.
On war crimes trial, he said it was necessary. “I think this is something which has been delayed here. We did (trying war criminals) right thing for the right purpose and for the right cause.”
Shahriar Alam said such exhibition will create awareness among all – within the country and beyond and the Foreign Ministry will go for something larger in a bigger platform in the future. “The new generation will hopefully follow the footsteps of these great individuals,” he added.
A video on the 1971 Liberation War was screened at the exhibition. Meanwhile another rare video of Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali while defending Bangladesh in front of the international media on April 27, 1971 was also screened.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hosting the event that will continue until March 26.