Bangladesh has consistently supported the Palestinian right to an independent state and was among the first countries to recognize Palestine following the Palestinian Declaration of Independence.
On May 13, the Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Dhaka, Bangladesh, attended the Ambassador Talk Series at North South University. The event, titled “Israel’s War on Gaza: Palestinian Perspectives on Peace,” was organized by the Centre for Peace Studies (CPS) of the South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance.
CPS aspires to be a leading hub for academic research and activities in conflict studies and peace promotion, with implications at national, regional, and global levels. As part of its mission, CPS conducts the Ambassador Talk Series to hear from representatives of countries worldwide. In light of the current events in Gaza, this session aimed to provide insights into the ongoing situation and explore perspectives on peace from the Palestinian viewpoint.
Dr. Ishrat Zakia Sultana, Assistant Professor and Member of the Centre for Peace Studies at North South University, moderated the session. Dr. Nova Ahmed, Professor and Member of the Centre for Peace Studies at North South University, stated, “This is the age when we should raise our voices. Our voices may seem like small dots, but many small dots will create a significant mark,” during her introductory speech.
H.E. Mr. Yousef S. Y. Ramadan, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of the State of Palestine in Dhaka, Bangladesh, remarked, “I am deeply grateful to the people of Bangladesh for your unwavering support of our cause simply because we are fellow human beings. The people born in Palestine did not choose their birthplace; they were born there as human beings, just like everyone else.
The struggles we face today resonate with the difficulties Bangladesh encountered in 1971, but you emerged victorious and achieved your independence. Throughout our lives, we must resist oppression. This is a duty we all share. We did not choose to be enemies with anyone, but the Zionists have forced us into this position by driving us away from our homes.
Western countries often attempt to teach us about human rights, freedom, and democracy. However, I believe no one has the right to lecture on these values when they themselves practice discrimination based on color or religion.
Students in the USA are actively protesting the ongoing war in Gaza. I believe that just as student protests against the Vietnam War played a significant role in bringing that conflict to an end, these protests can similarly help to end the war in Gaza.
The Palestinian people have endured immense suffering for a long time. In the past, there was no media to document our struggle, and the world learned about our suffering much later. Today, the situation is different. People can witness the killings and destruction in real-time. The atrocities are visible to everyone as they happen via mainstream and social media.
Boycotting can make a significant impact, as the profits from certain companies are used to purchase bullets that harm the people of Palestine. I urge all of you to boycott these products whenever possible.”
The session was chaired by Dr. Abdur Rob Khan, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (IC) and Treasurer of North South University. He stated, “Everyone feels the pain of the Palestinian people. Justice will prevail one day. I would like to draw a parallel with a law of physics: when momentum builds up, something happens. That is what is happening now.”
The Ambassador concluded by sharing that he was initially seeking 250 seats for Palestinian students and thought he might need to approach 50 universities in Bangladesh. However, from just 9 universities, he received around 400 scholarships, including contributions from North South University. This exemplifies the remarkable solidarity of the people of Bangladesh.
