M. Wahidur Rahman is a Bangladeshi diplomat who was ambassador to Egypt, Cyprus, Kenya, Tanzania between 2011 to 2017.[1][2] During his diplomatic career, he also served as permanent representative to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UN-Habitat.[3]
M. Wahidur Rahman | |
|---|---|
 Rahman receiving a Guard of Honour in 2014 in Nicosia, Cyprus (2014). | |
| Born | মোহাম্মদ ওয়াহিদুর রহমান চৌধুরী 1 September 1956 Chittagong, Bangladesh |
| Citizenship | Bangladeshi |
| Alma mater | University of Chittagong |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
| Employer | Government of the People's republic of Bangladesh |
| Title | Ambassador |
| Spouse | Rowshon Ara Wahid |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents |
|
| Relatives | Haji Sheikh Golam Sultan Chowdhury |
| Family | Wahedpur Chowdhury Family |
Early life and education
editRahman was born in Chattagram, Bangladesh. He graduated from the University of Chittagong, earning a Master's degree in Sociology.[2] He also received education at the Foreign Service Institute USA, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, and at the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service. Rahman is a Freedom Fighter, having joined the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 as a teenager.
Career
editRahman's diplomatic career began when he joined Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1988. Throughout his career, Rahman served in various diplomatic positions in Germany, Egypt, Kenya, Singapore, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, Mauritius, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Uganda. He also served in senior roles in Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Director General for MENA and Africa.
Between February 2011 to August 2014 Rahman served as the Bangladesh high commissioner to Kenya - during this tenure, he held the status of a Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary with concurrent jurisdiction in Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Mauritius.[4] Simultaneously, he held the role of Bangladesh's Permanent Representative to UNEP and UN-HABITAT.[3] In 2014, Rahman was appointed as Ambassador to Egypt, and Cyprus[1][2]
During his diplomatic roles in Africa, Rahman spearheaded strong ties with countries including the opening of a new mission in Mauritius. In 2011, he also led a rescue operation[5] of stranded Bangladeshi citizens during the Libyan crisis (2011–present).[6]
During his tenure as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Kenya,[4] Rahman's residence was attacked by armed assailants on February 22, 2014. He, and his family members sustained injuries during the attack, which was initially reported as a robbery by Kenyan authorities.[7][8][9]
Notable Work
editRahman initiated a number of bi-lateral and multi-lateral agreements between Bangladesh and countries in East Africa. He introduced "contract farming" between Bangladesh, Tanzania, Uganda and Gambia. As part of the agreements, Bangladeshi skilled migrants, and experts would work together with host countries to grow essential staple crops in unused lands in East Africa. Rahman first introduced the framework[10][11] to Bangladesh President Zillur Rahman in 2011.
Personal life
editRahman is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.[12][13][14] Rahman was born in the Wahedpur Chowdhury Family, to Aradat-Ullah Chowdhury and Latifa Khatun Chowdhury. His father was the Zamindar of Wahedpur (ওয়াহেদপুর). Rahman's paternal uncle is Sheikh Golam Sultan Chowdhury, another prominent Zamindar and philanthropist from Mirsharai[15].
References
edit- ^ a b https://cairo.mofa.gov.bd/en/site/page/roll-of-honour
- ^ a b c "Wahidur Rahman new ambassador to Egypt". Dhaka Tribune.
- ^ a b https://mirror.unhabitat.org/content.asp?cid=10262&catid=506&typeid=6
- ^ a b "Wahidur made envoy to Kenya". The Daily Star. April 4, 2011.
- ^ "Foreign Minister Dipu Moni visited the Bangladeshis who fled the Libyan unrest and were stranded in temporary camps at the border point of Al Salloum in Egypt; Equipments for the proposed Palatana Power Plant in Tripura will be transshipped through Ashuga | Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses". idsa.in. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Correspondent, Diplomatic (2011-03-14). "Dipu Moni visits camps on border". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Bangladesh High Commissioner attacked in Nairobi". 23 February 2014.
- ^ "Bangladesh envoy to Kenya attacked". Dhaka Tribune.
- ^ https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/bangladesh-ambassador-hurt-in-kenya-assault-114022300653_1.html
- ^ Correspondent, Staff (2010-09-16). "Bangladesh eyes trade, farming in west Africa". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Dhaka plans farming in African lands on lease | India Environment Portal | News, reports, documents, blogs, data, analysis on environment & development | India, South Asia". admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in. Retrieved 2024-11-10.
- ^ Unb, Dhaka (May 10, 2011). "Kenya keen to lease out lands to Bangladesh". The Daily Star.
- ^ "MFA Tanzania: Ambassador of Bangladesh presents Letters of Credence; President Kikwete sends condolences in the aftermath of the eight-story building collapse". mfatanzania.blogspot.com. April 25, 2013.
- ^ https://nairobinews.nation.africa/robbers-attack-bangladesh-high-commissioners-home/
- ^ Hoque, Ahesanul (2022-04-20). "ঐতিহ্য স্থাপত্যে মসজিদ মিরসরাইয়ের মিঠানালা". দৈনিক পূর্বকোণ. Retrieved 2024-11-10.