Senior Minister and In-charge of Special Mission (Islamic Affairs) of Cambodia Oknha Datuk Dr. Othsman Hassan sought the support of Bangladesh in becoming a member of the Islamic countries grouping OIC.
He made the request when Foreign Minister Dr. A K Abdul Momen paid a courtesy call on him in Phnom Penh on Friday, during his three-day visit to Cambodia to attend the 29th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Hassan informed that 93% of Cambodian people are Buddhists, 5% are Muslims and 2% are the believers of other religions. He further added that they have Muslim members of the Parliament, the foreign ministry said.
He also sought support from Bangladesh for agricultural machineries for their mills.
During the meeting, Dr. Momen apprised the Minister about Bangladesh's long established tradition of liberal, moderate and tolerant religious way of life that conditioned an environment of non-communal peaceful coexistence by the followers of different faiths.
He also stated that religious harmony is the motto of our Prime Minister. He further added that our Father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was a devoted Muslim and he established many Muslim institutions.
Dr. Momen underscored that Bangladesh is a Muslim majority country where 90% of her people are Muslims. Secularism is a state principle firmly enshrined in the constitution of the country. He highlighted that Bangladesh maintains a policy of ‘zero tolerance’ towards all forms of terrorism. He stressed that the people from Buddhist Religion are happy in our country.
The two Ministers also discussed the issues of Rohingya repatriation, trade and investment, agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, youth and cultural exchange programmes, among others.
Dr. Momen requested Cambodia's support in expediting Bangladesh’s bid for ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner (SDP).
He also invited the Cambodian Senior Minister to visit Bangladesh at a date of mutual convenience and the latter readily accepted the invitation, the foreign ministry said.
