Bangladesh mourns death of ‘foreign friend’ Fidel Castro

Bangladesh has mourned the death of Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 26 Nov 2016, 07:35 AM
Updated : 26 Nov 2016, 09:48 PM

The former president and leader of the Communist revolution, died aged 90 on Saturday, his brother Raul has announced.
 
In 2013, Bangladesh awarded Castro the ‘Liberation War Honour’ as one of the 'foreign friends' for his contributions to the country's struggle for freedom in 1971.
 
Bangladesh President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed deep sorrow over the death.
 
In a message the president said, "Fidel Castro's death is an immense loss for the world. He will always be remembered for his revolutionary fight to champion the oppressed."
 
In her condolence message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recalled the Cuban leader's contribution to Bangladesh's independence.
 
Leftist parties, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), have also expressed condolences.
 
Castro, one of the first leaders to recognise Bangladesh, had a cordial relationship with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

The two leaders met in Algiers during the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit in 1973.

"Mr Castro made an emotional remark while hugging my father, which I still recall, 'I have not seen the Himalayas. But I have seen Sheikh Mujib. In personality and courage, this man is the Himalayas. I have thus had the experience of witnessing the Himalayas.'," Hasina said in her message.