M. Wahidur Rahman
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]
Early life and education
[edit]Rahman 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
[edit]Rahman'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 of stranded Bangladeshi citizens during the Libyan crisis (2011–present).[citation needed]
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.[5][6][7]
Personal life
[edit]Rahman is married and has two children, a son and a daughter.[8][9][10] 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.
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.
- ^ "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
- ^ 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/