On Tuesday (December 19), Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized the need for unity among Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states to establish peace in Gaza. The statement was made during a courtesy call by Qatar’s Ambassador to Bangladesh, Seraya Ali Mahdi Saeed Al-Qahtani, at the official residence Ganabhaban.
According to PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim, the discussion primarily focused on the Gaza issue. Prime Minister Hasina stressed the importance of collective efforts by OIC member countries to bring about peace in Gaza.
During the meeting, Ambassador Al-Qahtani handed over an invitation letter to Prime Minister Hasina, inviting her to attend the 8th Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) scheduled for March 4-6, 2024, in Qatar. Prime Minister Hasina expressed her intention to join the exhibition if she wins the upcoming national election on January 7.
Addressing the Gaza issue, Ambassador Al-Qahtani mentioned that Qatar had diverted its national day celebration budget of US$50 million to support the people of Gaza. In response, Prime Minister Hasina noted that Bangladesh had also sent relief items, including dry foods and clothes, for the Palestinians. She highlighted that Palestinian physicians who graduated from Bangladesh had received security training and were now contributing to healthcare in Palestine.
The Qatar ambassador pointed out that Al Jazeera, a Qatar-based media network, is broadcasting news on the Gaza issue, providing global awareness of the situation. Prime Minister Hasina expressed expectations for the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, to visit Bangladesh in 2024.
The Emir of Qatar had accepted an invitation to visit Bangladesh in May 2020. Prime Minister Hasina extended her gratitude to Qatar for its initiatives concerning the Gaza issue. Ambassador-at-Large Mohammad Ziauddin and Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah were also present during the meeting.