The Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur celebrated ‘Bangladesh Festival’ with grand arrangements and great enthusiasm. On this occasion, a colorful cultural program was organized at the Craft Complex in the capital Kuala Lumpur on Thursday (June 26, 2025). The colorful program highlighted the heritage and rich culture of present-day Bengal through melodious songs, beautiful dances, fashion shows and traditional local food. The venue was decorated with traditional Bangladeshi rickshaws and other local crafts. In addition, a documentary on the progress of Bangladesh’s development was screened.
YBhg. Dato’ Shaharuddin bin Abu Sohot, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia, was present as the “Guest of Honor” at the program. High-ranking officials from various departments including the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ambassadors of various countries in Kuala Lumpur, a large number of diplomats, academicians, expatriate Bangladeshi community leaders, journalists, and officials and employees of the High Commission and their family members were present at the event.
High Commissioner Md. Shamim Ahsan and his wife Pandora Chowdhury warmly welcomed the invited guests and exchanged greetings with everyone.
In his speech, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia. He said that like Malaysia, Bangladesh is also a country with a rich culture and many ethnic groups. The ‘Bangladesh Festival’ has portrayed the inclusive society of Bangladesh, which is highly commendable. He wished Bangladesh all the success.
High Commissioner Shamim Ahsan, in his speech, paid deep respect to the memory of all the martyrs of the great Liberation War of 1971 and the July-August Uprising of 1924 and remembered the contribution of the brave warriors with gratitude. He also recalled with deep gratitude the fact that Malaysia recognized Bangladesh as the first country in Southeast Asia.
He said, Bangladesh is a country of colorful festivals. We celebrate our faith, life, freedom, nature, culture and achievements through various fairs and festivals throughout the year, which are organized with great enthusiasm and enthusiasm. This festival is organized with our distinguished foreign friends and expatriates as part of the High Commission’s people’s diplomacy.
Immediately after the swearing-in of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus after the July-August Uprising, Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Anwar Ibrahim called the Chief Advisor to congratulate him and visited Bangladesh as the first head of government. Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit to Bangladesh on 4 October 2024, as the first post-revolutionary head of government, demonstrates Malaysia’s strong support for Professor Yunus’ leadership and his vision for a “New Bangladesh”. The High Commissioner said that preparations are underway for the return visit of the Bangladesh Chief Advisor to Malaysia this year.
He also said that as a diplomat, we believe that culture can be a very effective tool to create greater understanding between countries and communities and to remove misconceptions between them.
He referred to the excellent bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Malaysia based on mutual values, trust and historical bonds, saying that Bangladesh and Malaysia have strengthened bilateral cooperation in various fields including trade and commerce, investment, economic and technical assistance, education, culture, energy, tourism and human resource development.
After the discussion, a delightful cultural program held with the participation of the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, expatriate Bangladeshis and members of the High Commission family enthralled the guests. The performance of popular Bangladeshi singer Mehreen in particular added an extra dimension to the event.
The invited guests were treated to a variety of traditional Bangladeshi dishes. The food prepared by two professional chefs working at the state guest house, especially the ‘smoked hilsa’, was appreciated by the foreign guests.
The Bangladesh Corner, rickshaw, puchka, tea and jhal-muri stalls and pitha ghar set up at the event premises were widely appreciated by the foreign guests present. In addition, renowned Bangladeshi companies Pran, Maitree and Hope displayed their products and services and National Bank and City Bank Remittance House booths informed the expatriates about their services.
The well-decorated ‘Bangladesh Corner’ at the event venue displayed traditional artifacts, exportable products and handicrafts. Besides, publications on the Great Liberation War, July-August Uprising, culture, economy etc. are placed in the corner which creates interest among the guests.
Besides, the craft complex is decorated with many accessories of traditional culture of Bangladesh which easily attracts everyone’s attention and creates a festive atmosphere among everyone. Documentaries on tourism, cultural heritage, investment and economic potential of Bangladesh were screened at the event.
The Secretary General of Malaysia was presented with a frame of traditional Jamdani of Bangladesh.
