Bangladesh Community in Malta celebrates return of democracy

The Bangladesh Community in Malta celebrated the return of democracy in their country after the overthrow of the dictator Sheikh Hasina who had ruled with an iron first over the past 15 years. Hasina escaped in a helicopter yesterday after resigning from the Premiership. The country is currently being administrated by the military until a caretaker government is appointed and fresh elections may be held in the next weeks.

This seminal event came after weeks of protests by the Bangladesh student movement in which several hundred were brutally killed and thousands wounded. Official figures put the death toll at around 300 but unofficial sources the number is well over a thousand. 

The community got together on the Msida seafront where there is a large presence of Bangladeshi in Malta. Short speeches were made and in general, there was an air of celebration and victory in the air.

The gathering was addressed by several prominent members of the community including; Bangladesh Malta Business Association Secretary Nazmul Istiak ,  Businessman Md Kanchon, Ashik Uddin Ashik, as well as Bangladeshi expatriates Golam Mowla , Muhammad Yasin , Abdur Rahim and Hafizur Rahman Hafiz.

A rally celebrating Bangladesh’s transition to democracy will be held in Valletta by the Bangladeshi Community in Malta on Thursday 15th August. Everyone is invited to attend. Further details will be communicated in due course.