Diplomatic Desk:
At a memorial service organized by the Italian Embassy in Dhaka to commemorate the victims of the horrific terrorist attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam said that Bangladesh has always been in a strong position against terrorism. Those involved in the Holey Artisan attack have been brought to justice and Bangladesh continues to play an important role in the global anti-terrorism effort by taking effective steps to curb militancy.
Speaking as the chief guest at a memorial service organized by the Italian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday (July 1, 2026), he expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and reiterated Bangladesh’s continued commitment to preventing and suppressing violent extremism.
The event, organized in memory of the 24 people killed in the attack on July 1, 2016—9 of whom were Italian citizens—was organized by Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro.
Ambassador Antonio Alessandro read out a message from Italian President Sergio Mattarella at the event. The President’s message said, “The terrorists wanted to create hatred and division between Bangladesh and the international community. But instead, they have created a stronger solidarity, a deeper understanding of the importance of mutual dialogue, and a stronger collective commitment against violence.”
In his speech, Ambassador Antonio Alessandro recalled the contribution of the Italian entrepreneurs and private sector professionals who were killed in the economic development of Bangladesh. He said that the commemoration is organized every year to pay tribute to the memory of all those who died in the attacks, regardless of nationality or religion.
The event was attended by diplomatic representatives of the countries of the victims, including Japan, India, and the United States, senior officials of the Bangladesh Police, relatives of the victims, hostages who returned from the attacks alive, and members of the Italian community living in Bangladesh.
At that time, Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro, Japanese Ambassador Saida Shinichi, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Palestinian Ambassador Yousef S. Y. Ramadan, European Union Ambassador Michael Miller, representatives of the US Embassy, diplomats from various countries, relatives of the deceased and hostages who survived the attack were present. They paid tribute to the deceased with flowers and observed a minute of silence in memory of this tragic incident.
It is worth noting that on July 1, 2016, 22 hostages were killed in a terrorist attack at the Holly Artisan Bakery in Gulshan, the capital. Among the dead were 9 Italians, 7 Japanese, 1 Indian and 3 Bangladeshis. In addition, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin was also killed. Two police officers were also martyred in the attack. This brutal attack caused deep shock and concern around the world and is considered one of the worst terrorist attacks in the history of Bangladesh.
