The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, observed this year on Tuesday (26 November), resounds as an emblem of global conscience and collective empathy, a testament to the enduring struggles of a dispossessed people yearning for their homeland and identity.
For Bangladesh, this day is more than ceremonial; it is a poignant reminder of its own history of liberation and the enduring necessity of aligning with those striving against oppression and subjugation.
Narrative of Bangladesh’s own liberation war in 1971—a harrowing saga of dispossession, injustice, and eventual triumph—finds a kindred echo in the Palestinian plight.
Visceral memory of its struggle to carve an identity amidst the pangs of war imbues Bangladesh with a profound empathy for Palestine.
This solidarity, articulated through unwavering diplomatic support and advocacy in international forums, reflects a moral kinship born of shared aspirations for self-determination.
Since its inception as an independent nation, Bangladesh has been a resolute advocate for the Palestinian cause.
From championing Palestine’s rights in the United Nations to rejecting normalisation with Israel absent a just resolution, Dhaka’s position has been clear and uncompromising.
This commitment was exemplified in 1974 when Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, vehemently declared solidarity with Palestine at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Bangladesh’s subsequent refusal to recognise Israel and its consistent condemnation of human rights violations in occupied territories underscore its steadfast moral alignment.
The observance of this day in Bangladesh is not a mere formality but an invocation of conscience—a call for action against the iniquities inflicted upon the Palestinian people.
From grassroots-level demonstrations to governmental proclamations, the spirit of solidarity transcends platitudes.
It is a collective assertion that the struggles of a distant land reverberate in the hearts of the Bangladeshi populace, as if bound by an invisible thread of shared humanity.
Palestine’s struggle has permeated the cultural and intellectual fabric of Bangladesh, inspiring poetry, art, and activism.
Palestinian flags often flutter alongside Bangladeshi ones during rallies, and poignant slogans demanding justice echo through Dhaka’s streets.
The cause is not merely political but profoundly emotional—a symbol of the broader fight against imperialism and oppression.
Bangladesh’s solidarity with Palestine serves as a microcosm of resistance against a world order that often privileges might over right.
Observing this day, Bangladesh reiterates the need for multilateralism to triumph over hegemonic tendencies, calling upon nations to honour the ideals of justice enshrined in the UN Charter.
This stance, though symbolic, amplifies the cries of the oppressed and asserts that justice remains indivisible.
The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People is not merely a reflection on the past but a clarion call for the future.
Bangladesh’s unwavering support echoes the belief that justice, though delayed, can never be denied.
As the world observes this day, Dhaka’s message rings clear - until the Palestinian people are granted their inalienable rights to self-determination and a sovereign homeland, the fight for justice must persist unabated.
In observing this day, Bangladesh wields its moral compass as a torch, lighting the path for a world where freedom and dignity are not luxuries of the privileged but inherent rights of all.
It is a solidarity steeped not only in political commitment but in the profound belief that the human spirit, when united, can overcome the darkest shadows of oppression.
