State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam has said that terrorism can never be justified. Bangladesh will not allow anyone to destroy peace and stability.

The State Minister said this in a speech at a memorial service at the residence of Italian Ambassador to Bangladesh Antonio Alessandro on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the attack on the Holly Artisan Bakery on Wednesday (July 1).

The State Minister said that the government is firmly against all forms of terrorism and violent extremism. Such forces have no place in Bangladesh. They will not be given a chance to destroy the peace and stability of the country.

Shama Obaid said, “We pay tribute not only to their (the deceased) memories, but also to the courage, tolerance and unity of their families. As a mother and guardian, my heart goes out to the families who have lost their children and family members. May their memories guide us against hatred and conflict.” May we always uphold the values of humanity, compassion and tolerance.

Mentioning the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs said that accountability has been ensured by bringing the criminals to justice through due legal process.

The Bangladesh government and diplomats from India, Japan, Italy and the United States commemorated the victims of the attack on the Holy Artisan Bakery at the event.

Paying tribute to the victims of the attack, they recalled the efforts and achievements of the Bangladesh government in combating terrorism.

Shama Obaid Islam, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Palestinian Ambassador to Bangladesh Yousef SY Ramadan, Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro, Japanese Ambassador Shinichi Saida, Indian High Commissioner Dinesh Trivedi, Acting Chief of Mission of the United States Embassy Albert Shea and representatives of the Bangladesh Police paid tribute to the victims by laying wreaths.

A minute’s silence was observed in memory of the victims of the attack.

On July 1, 2016, a brutal terrorist attack took place at the Holly Artisan Bakery in the Gulshan diplomatic area of Dhaka, Bangladesh, which claimed the lives of 24 people (20 hostages and 2 police officers, and 6 attackers). The 12-hour siege was one of the most horrific and brutal incidents in the country’s history.