Dhaka road to be named after former Qatari Emir

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the authorities to name a suitable road in the capital after former Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani in recognition of his contributions to Bangladesh-Qatar relations.

Speaking in parliament on Wednesday during a discussion on a proposal raised by Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman, the prime minister said he had already given verbal instructions to the Ministry of Local Government and the Dhaka City Corporation to identify an appropriate road for the naming.

He thanked the opposition leader for raising the proposal and paid tribute to the late Qatari leader, describing Qatar as a close partner that has supported Bangladesh’s development and provided employment opportunities for millions of Bangladeshi workers.

The prime minister also praised Qatar for ensuring the safety of Bangladeshi expatriates during recent regional tensions in the Middle East.

Bangladesh observed state mourning on Wednesday following the former emir’s death, with the national flag flown at half-mast. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed travelled to Doha to convey the country’s condolences.

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani died on Sunday at the age of 74, according to a statement from the office of Qatar’s current emir.

He ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and is widely regarded as the architect of the country’s modern transformation.