In my last two columns, I wrote about my longtime association with Abdullatif Al-Maimani as a colleague, a true friend, neighbor and immediate boss while working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In this article, I would like to share with readers my experience at the Saudi embassy in Dhaka while working under Al-Maimani when he was the ambassador to Bangladesh.
Immediately after a royal decree was issued appointing Al-Maimani as ambassador, he asked me to work with him as chargé d›affaires, a diplomatic post next to the ambassador, at the Dhaka embassy. I readily agreed to take up that position even though I had given excuses for not accepting such offers in the past.
However, I felt at home working under a person whom I had known well for many years during which time we were attached with bonds of friendship and close association at the workplace. There was also another reason for me opting to work with him at the Saudi embassy in Bangladesh. It was that the subject of my doctoral research was about the leadership of South Asian countries, including Bangladesh, and my presence in Dhaka as a diplomat helped me to collect relevant data in this regard.
The mission of Al-Maimani as the Kingdom’s ambassador to Bangladesh was not an easy one. As far as the Kingdom was concerned, Bangladesh was an important nation and hence he had to redouble efforts to bolster bilateral relations between the two countries. This was even more significant when taking into account the contributions made by two successful ambassadors who preceded him in Dhaka. They were Fuad Al-Khatib and Ali Abdul Wahab who had played very active and positive roles in the political and social circles of Bangladesh.
Al-Maimani had employed his writing and journalistic talent and capabilities to boost his diplomatic career in a successful manner. I still recall that once he was invited to visit the Dhaka Press Club. During the visit, he stole the show with his impressive speech, emphasizing the fact that “the voices of journalists have to be heard” and these words were often quoted by many during the meetings and forums held later in the city. Al-Maimani also donated a microphone device to the Press Club.
Perhaps, because of our long association, he used to seek my advice on diverse topics and issues. Here, I would like to point out a few such situations. Once, he was invited to become the Guest of Honor at the opening ceremony of a religious university outside Dhaka. I also accompanied him to the function, which lasted until midnight.
While returning home, we found that the road was blocked by a large number of people, apparently in protest against the failure on the part of the authorities to meet their demands. When all the attempts to convince them that they should make way for us in our capacity as diplomats ended in failure, Al-Maimani told me to show my ability for negotiation by taking up the issue with the protestors. Accordingly, I approached leaders of the crowd and made an argument with them. I said: “We are your guests in your country, and we have nothing to do with meeting your demands. If you disrupt our way, it won’t help you but on the other hand, it may make things further complicated for you.” Eventually, they allowed us to pass through the blocked road.
I accompanied Al-Maimani during several similar trips for the opening of mosques, schools and medical clinics as well as other functions in various regions of Bangladesh. We traveled by plane, car or boat. On one occasion, the ambassador was invited to inaugurate a function organized by Mir Quasem Ali, director of the Muslim World League (Rabita) office in Cox’s Bazar region near the border with Myanmar. During the event, two renowned ophthalmologists from Dhaka came forward voluntarily to carry out 100 cataract removal surgeries among Burmese refugees at an open field.
After the function, the doctors started operations that continued from the evening until midnight. During that trip, Ambassador Al-Maimani inspected the residential facilities built by Rabita for the refugees who had been leading a miserable life after being driven out of their homeland.
Al-Maimani was also appointed as the Kingdom’s non-resident ambassador to Nepal. I accompanied him to Nepal more than once. He also entrusted me to carry out some missions in that tiny Himalayan Kingdom.
I accompanied him to Nepal for the first time during the ceremony for the handover of his credentials to the Nepalese king. At that time, he delivered a short speech in front of the king and then we all shook hands with the king. This was the first experience of its kind for me. Although I had met with several kings, presidents and prime ministers in the countries where I worked as a diplomat, I had not until then had the opportunity of attending a ceremony of presenting credentials.
After serving the embassy under Al-Maimani for more than three years, I was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. At that time, the Saudi Bangladesh Friendship
Society organized a farewell party for me. Al-Maimani was the Guest of Honor at that function. I still remember the first words of his speech.
“What should I say about Ali Al-Ghamdi? There is a magnet between us that attracts us to each other. We are bidding farewell now. I don’t know when these magnets will have an opportunity to come together and attract each other once again?”
Al-Maimani was a successful diplomat, eminent journalist and distinguished writer, apart from a true and reliable friend. May Allah Almighty shower His mercy and forgiveness on him!
Dr. Ali Al-Ghamdi is a former Saudi diplomat who specializes in Southeast Asian affairs. He can be reached at algham@hotmail.com
