Advisor in trouble over ‘boat’ gift, asks on Facebook what to do

Algerian Ambassador to Dhaka Abdel Wahab Saldani gifted a boat to Muhammad Fawzul Kabir Khan, Advisor to the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh, at a ceremony to celebrate the 71st anniversary of the Algerian Revolution. But the ‘boat’ gift has sparked discussions and criticism.

The matter has been a topic of discussion on social media since Saturday (November 1). Later, the advisor himself posted on Facebook explaining the entire matter and seeking everyone’s advice on what to do with the gift.

He wrote, “Last evening, I attended the nomination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the chief guest on Algeria’s National Day. At the ceremony, I was given a portrait of a boat with a sailor steering the mast as a gift. I accepted it as a diplomatic courtesy. The name of the embassy is written on the gift. Note that this has nothing to do with the Awami League’s election symbol.”

He also wrote on Facebook, “Now I can send it back to the Algerian embassy, ​​but that would be disrespectful and indecent. I can deposit it in the government mortuary—although it is not very valuable. I can keep it at the Shailan Senior Citizens’ Home, or I can keep it myself. I would benefit from readers’ suggestions.”

It is worth noting that on Friday night, the Algerian embassy celebrated the 71st anniversary of the glorious revolution of 1954 at an elite hotel in the capital. Advisor Fawzul Kabir Khan was present as the chief guest. Diplomats, politicians, businessmen and government and private officials from different countries were present at the event.