The Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Antonio Alessandro, hosted a commemorative ceremony at his residence in honor of the twenty-four victims—nine of them Italian—of the terrorist attack that took place on July 1, 2016, at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka.
Among those in attendance were diplomatic representatives from Japan, India, and the United States—the countries from which the victims originated—as well as representatives of the local police, family members and friends of the victims, hostages who survived the attack, and members of the Italian community.
The State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shama Obaed, attended on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh to express sympathy to the victims’ families and to reaffirm her country’s commitment to preventing and combating violent extremism.
On the occasion, Ambassador Alessandro read a message from President Mattarella marking the tenth anniversary of the attack. In the President’s words: “The terrorists sought to sow hatred and fuel division between the people of Bangladesh and the international community. Instead, what emerged was stronger solidarity, a deeper awareness of the value of dialogue among peoples, and a shared commitment to opposing violence.”
Ambassador Alessandro also recalled the contribution made by the Italian victims—entrepreneurs and private-sector professionals—to the growth of Bangladesh’s economy. He emphasized the inclusive nature of the annual ceremony, which is held in remembrance of victims of every nationality and faith.
