Bangladeshi Nationals in Belize Commemorate Victory Day

A flag raising ceremony was held today at the Battlefield Park in Belize City. At seven o’clock this morning, Bangladesh nationals living in Belize hoisted their country’s flag in commemoration of their victory day. In 1971, freedom fighters from Bangladesh fought against Pakistan for their independence and land. Over three million persons were killed and the country was devastated. On December sixteenth forty-four years ago, the Bangladeshi people won the war, but many have migrated to other countries including Belize. The first group arrived in Belize fifteen years ago and today, they came out to celebrate that very significant anniversary.

Fakhrul Alam Salim, President, Bangladesh Association of Belize

“I am very proud that we are celebrating today for the first time in Belize our independence.”

Duane Moody

“What does it say to people that see this? What message are you bringing to them?”

Fakhrul Alam Salim

Fakhrul Alam Salim

“This message, from myself, we have to work together. We got to keep together in Belize and all over the world. We are celebrating our independence, our language and this is a message to all our Bangladeshi.”

Duane Moody

“We didn’t know that there were Bangladesh people living in Belize; at least I didn’t know that there were Bangladesh people living in Belize. Could you talk to us about that; about the community living here right now?”

Fakhrul Alam Salim

“I came first time from Bangladesh in 2001, the month of July. We were a few…only eight people. From eight people, we grew to the community here. We grew our families, our children. From eight people we grew to one hundred and fifty people. We are here to support our Belizean people. We do our own, our brothers and sisters…we doing the business. We have with us a doctor, we have with us a lawyer and we with the support of this country, we want to build our family in Belize.”