DHAKA, Dec 30, 2021 (BSS) - A delegation of Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) paid a courtesy call on President M Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here this evening.

  During the meeting, the delegation briefed the President on various aspects of the recently concluded 'Dhaka OIC Youth Capital-2020' programme, President's press secretary Joynal Abedin told BSS later.

  The delegation thanked the Government of Bangladesh for holding this event in a well-organized and smooth manner, the press secretary said.

   The delegation led by ICYF president Taha Ayan, Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Minister of Maldives Ahmed Mahloof and State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russell, among others, were present.

  Elaborating the various programmes adopted by the ICYF for the development of the youth community, the delegation told the President that through this event, the youth of OIC countries will be inspired in innovative activities.

   The head of the state said the youth are the main driving force of development and progress of the country and the nation will be accelerated if the youth community gets the right directives.

  "Their creative energy can be utilized constructively for the betterment of the masses," he added.

  The President also thanked the forum for choosing Dhaka as the OIC Youth Capital 2020, hoping that through it the youth of OIC countries would be encouraged to work productively.

  Abdul Hamid said Bangladesh has been actively working for the development of the Muslim Ummah since it became OIC member in 1974.

  He said Bangladesh attaches priority to developing mutual and bilateral ties with all countries of the world, including OIC members.

  Bangladesh always supports any bilateral and multilateral initiatives taken for the greater benefit of the Muslim world, added the President.

  Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Md Akhter Hossain, President's Office Secretary Sampad Barua, Military Secretary Major General SM Salah Uddin Islam, Press Secretary Md Joynal Abedin and Secretary (Attachment) Md Wahidul Islam Khan were also present.