Foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque said Bangladesh has shown to the world a different face of humanity by hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas. He also said no one should think of the Rohingya issue negatively. “Everybody must think of the issue in a positive manner as it has showcased a new image for Bangladesh around the world,” he added.

While addressing a dialogue on ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, organised jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Economic Forum, at Hotel Intercontinental Hotel, Shahidul Haque said: “You should never think the Rohingya issue as something

that is going to hurt Bangladesh. But, by offering shelter to the Rohingyas, Bangladesh has shown to the world a new face of humanity.”

 “You should feel proud that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken a very humane approach towards the Rohingyas. When I go abroad and represent Bangladesh, they speak highly of us as we have hosted 1.1 million Rohingyas. We feel as proud as Germany as they also host 1 million refugees from Syria, Iran and Afghanistan,” he added.

“Bangladesh, under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina, has emerged as a very responsible state. The Rohingyas crossed over to Bangladesh. We could have shut down our border. But our Prime Minister decided that we have to host the Rohingyas,” he observed.

The foreign secretary also said: “We should all feel proud that Bangladesh has been hosting these Rohingyas. This has made our country a true brand of humanity. When you go abroad and say you are from Bangladesh, they won’t think that it’s the country of floods and cyclones. Rather, this is a country where humanity has made a huge progress.”  

“Always think positively about the Rohingya issue,” he added.