The United Nations observes August 21 as the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
The 2026 theme - “Healing Through Memory” - is a particularly powerful reminder that confronting terrorism is not only about security; it is about acknowledging pain, honouring victims, and ensuring that societies heal by remembering rather than forgetting.
For Bangladesh, this day carries deep emotional weight, for our collective memory includes tragedies that reshaped the nation’s understanding of extremism. The Holey Artisan attack of July 1, 2016 remains the most devastating example in our recent history.
Yet, Holey Artisan was not an isolated wound. Operations against extremist networks over the years have revealed how militancy attempted to embed itself across the country, and it continues to be an issue to this day in some capacity.
This year’s theme therefore urges us to recognize that healing requires remembering. Survivors and families deserve acknowledgment, support, and a national commitment to ensuring their suffering is not erased.
We must remember; memory is not a burden but a safeguard. When societies remember, they remain vigilant. When they forget, they become vulnerable.
Crucially, healing also requires unity as terrorism does not distinguish between political parties or ideologies. It targets society as a whole.
As such, Bangladesh cannot afford to let partisan divides weaken our collective resolve. Countering extremism must remain a shared national priority, one that brings all political actors regardless of affiliation, civil society, religious leaders, and security agencies together rather than driving them apart.
On this day, we must honour every life lost to terrorism and militancy. Healing through memory means carrying their stories forward, learning from them, and standing united to ensure such tragedies become a topic of the past.
