During the international conference in Jeddah, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stated that there must be a united effort for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. She urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the cessation of illegal occupation in the region. She expressed, “I call on all parties to ensure timely and unhesitant humanitarian assistance in Gaza to achieve peace, denounce ruthless acts of war, and put an end to illegal incursions.”
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina delivered this message when she was a distinguished guest at the inaugural session of the international conference titled “Empowerment and Dignity of Women in Islam,” held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday.
Sheikh Hasina emphasized, “We must stand united for the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. I will uphold my role for our Palestinian brothers and sisters.” She added that the voices of Muslim women must be heard for the sake of peace.
“We condemn all forms of violence, aggression, and discrimination against women and stand against all heinous acts,” she said. She continued, “These brutal events in Gaza remind us of the inhuman atrocities against two hundred thousand women during our Liberation War in 1971.” Prime Minister also expressed, “These brutal incidents remind me of the heinous killing of my parents and other family members, including women and children, on 15th August 1975.”
In her speech, the Prime Minister highlighted five key points:
First, she stressed the need for immediate cessation of conflict in Palestine and emphasized the importance of a fair trial for crimes, especially those against women and children.
Second, she advocated for rejecting violence, discrimination, and violence against women on Islamic grounds.
Third, she called for proper attention to achieving gender equality and empowering women, especially in the context of SDG-5.
Fourth, she emphasized that Muslim women should be able to represent themselves independently in the public sphere.
Fifth, she shared the experiences and exchange of ideas related to this at the OIC as a platform for such long-anticipated issues.
