Dhaka can play leadership role in Muslim world: FM

Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen today said Bangladesh would like to take a leadership role among all the Muslim countries by projecting itself as a land of opportunities and growth possibilities.

“We may not that rich financially but with our heart and culture, we are ahead of many (countries),” he said while launching OIC Youth Capital website – www.dhakaoyc2020.org – jointly with state minister for youth and sports Zahid Ahasan Russel at State guest house Padma here.

The foreign minister stressed projecting Bangladesh’s emphasis on dialogues and reconciliation as a measure for peace and stability.

Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF), an international institution affiliated to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), declared Dhaka as the “OIC Youth Capital 2020” in December last marking a significant recognition for the country in the youth sector.

This “victory” came after a yearlong concerted joint effort by foreign and youth and sports affairs ministries by projecting the strengths and opportunities that Bangladesh offers to the youth.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the yearlong celebration programme of “OIC Youth Capital 2020” on April 12 to be attended by more than 150 youth representatives from 57 member states of the IOC.

A number of youth and sports ministers from OIC member states will also be invited to the inauguration ceremony.

Momen said the convergence of the yearlong events with the grand celebration of Bangabandhu Birth Centenary has amplified its significance to a great extent.

“We would like to make our youth capital celebration programme a role model among the OIC countries,” he said.

Ten mega-events have been designed for celebrating “OIC Youth Capital 2020” while “Bangabandhu Youth Award” will be conferred on 10 participants who will later join a humanitarian boot camp at Cox’s Bazar Rohingya camp.

The event includes Holy Quran Recitation Competition, Film Festival, Art Exhibition, Debate Competition, Voluntary Camp, Youth Summit and Business Hub Boot Camp, Football camp, Rover Moot and a grand closing ceremony.

Russel said the selection of Dhaka as the “OIC Youth Capital 2020” will play a significant role to reflect a positive brand image of Bangladesh globally specially among the youth.

He hoped that the events will inject a great momentum, inspiration and motivation into the vast young population of Bangladesh and the OIC member states as well.

Bangladesh contested for the coveted “OlC Youth Capital 2020” title since May last year while youth and sports ministry submitted a wide range of activities for the selection process.

Subsequently, Bangladesh was shortlisted – along with Kazakhstan and Tunisia by ICYF.

Later in October, a high level delegation of ICYF led by ICYF President Taha Ayhan visited Bangladesh to inspect the overall preparation of Bangladesh.

Finally on 22 December, a “Protocol of Commitment” was signed between the Ministry of Youth and Sports and ICYF leading to the declaration of Bangladesh as the “OIC Youth Capital 2020”.