Istanbul, Turkey – Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain, today unequivocally condemned Israel’s recent military actions against Iran, calling it an “unlawful aggression” that imperils regional and global stability. Speaking at the 51st session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers (CFM) in Istanbul, Hossain urged the international community to hold Tel Aviv accountable for its “reckless actions.”
“Bangladesh calls for an immediate end to such provocations and urges the international community to hold Israel accountable while working collectively to ensure peace through diplomacy and respect for international norms,” Hossain stated in his address. He characterized the attack as a “blatant act of aggression” and a “grave violation of international law, the UN Charter, and Iran’s sovereignty,” warning of its potential to destabilize the region and undermine global peace.
The foreign adviser also drew attention to the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, which he described as a “genocidal onslaught” continuing for over 600 days. “Bangladesh strongly condemns the Israeli genocidal intent and onslaught in Gaza. This continues to result in the loss of innocent lives, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and systematic violations of international human rights and humanitarian law,” he asserted.
Hossain reiterated Dhaka’s unwavering support for an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and advocated for “a credible, irreversible path toward a two-state solution, with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent and sovereign Palestine based on the 1967 borders.” He called on the OIC to maintain unity in demanding justice and accountability through the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), stressing that “our solidarity must translate into strategic and sustained action.”
The foreign adviser underscored the critical urgency of finding a sustainable solution to the Rohingya crisis, cautioning that prolonged delays could escalate into a significant security threat for the region. “The Rohingya crisis is no longer sustainable. It can be a threat multiplier that can jeopardize regional and global security,” he warned, emphasizing that “the ultimate solution lies in ensuring a safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation to their homeland, the Rakhine State, Myanmar.”
Hossain urged increased diplomatic pressure on Myanmar and greater burden-sharing among OIC member states, while acknowledging the legal initiatives at the ICJ and the support provided by The Gambia. He extended an invitation to all OIC members to participate in the upcoming High-Level Conference on Rohingya Muslims, scheduled for September 30, 2025, at the UN Headquarters.
Turning to wider challenges facing the Muslim world, Hossain called for more robust OIC engagement in mediation, peacebuilding, and humanitarian efforts in conflict zones like Yemen, Sudan, Libya, and Syria. He welcomed the UN’s recognition of March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, asserting that the OIC must “lead with joint legal, educational, and media strategies to counter hate, foster tolerance, and uphold the dignity of our faith and its followers.”
The adviser also stressed the necessity for the OIC to expand its developmental agenda through investments in infrastructure, digital economy, health, food security, and skills development. He highlighted Bangladesh’s proposal for “a cooperation framework for contract farming and viable business models to enhance food security among the Member States.”
On the issue of climate resilience, Hossain proposed an OIC Climate Resilience Initiative and an OIC Innovation Network to mobilize youth and researchers. He also outlined Bangladesh’s strengthened engagement with the OIC, noting the country’s recent signing of the OIC Anti-Corruption Convention and the Labour Centre Statute, as well as the establishment of a permanent mission to the OIC.
Finally, Hossain briefed the OIC on Bangladesh’s current political transition under the interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. “At this historic juncture, we firmly believe that the solidarity of the OIC Member States is important in ensuring a successful, peaceful, and people-oriented transition in Bangladesh,” he concluded, urging member states to reinforce the OIC’s role as a transformative force and reaffirm their “shared principles of justice, equity, and unity.”
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