Ambassador of Palestine to Bangladesh Yousef SY Ramadan paid a courtesy call on Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at his office on Thursday and discussed various issues of mutual interest, including security cooperation between the two countries and easing the visa issuance process for Palestinian students.

During the meeting, which was held in a very cordial and friendly atmosphere, the minister stated that Bangladesh has historically extended its unwavering support to the freedom struggle of Palestine and the establishment of its sovereign state.

He said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had played a highly courageous and unforgettable role at that time in mobilising strong public opinion and support at international and diplomatic levels in favour of Palestine. “This principled and moral support of Bangladesh towards Palestine will always continue.”

The Palestinian envoy noted that a large number of Palestinian students are currently pursuing higher education in various public and private educational institutions in Bangladesh, seeking special cooperation regarding the issuance of On-Arrival Visas to facilitate the smooth arrival and studies of Palestinian students in Bangladesh.

In response, the minister immediately instructed the officials concerned to extend all possible cooperation in this regard. Concurrently, he requested the ambassador to send a formal letter to the Ministry of Home through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Yousef SY Ramadan also requested that if any Palestinian citizen or student applies for a Bangladeshi visa through Bangladesh embassies located in various Middle Eastern countries, a copy of the application be forwarded to the Palestinian Embassy in Dhaka for proper verification.

In response, Salahuddin said, "As a brotherly Muslim country, we love and trust Palestine from the core of our hearts. Bangladesh is always ready to provide all kinds of assistance for the welfare of the citizens of Palestine."

Deputy Secretary (Political-1) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Begum Minara Nazmin, Director (In-Charge) of the West Asia Wing of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hasan Parag and First Secretary of the Palestinian Embassy in Dhaka Nour HO Alaydi were present at the meeting.