Indo-Arab League offers land for Palestinian consulate in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Oct 25 (IANS) The Indo-Arab League, a non-governmental organisation working to promote relations between India and Arab countries, on Wednesday offered land free of cost to Palestine for setting up its consulate here.

League Chairman Syed Vicaruddin told reporters that the consulate will go a long way in strengthening relations between India and Palestine and facilitate Muslims wanting to visit Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, one of the holiest sites in Islam.

Vicaruddin, conferred Palestine's highest civilian award 'Star of Jerusalem' in 2015, said the upcoming Indo-Arab Cultural Centre in upmarket Banjara Hills and costing Rs 60 crore will have a hall in memory of Palestinian martyrs.

The cultural centre's foundation stone was laid by then Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in 1997.

Vicaruddin, Chief Editor of Urdu daily "Rahnuma-e-Deccan", said they also propose to set up an Indo-Arab University in Hyderabad.

He said India had always supported the just cause of Palestine and hoped that the Narendra Modi government will not deviate from this policy.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be invited to attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the Indo-Arab League.

In the run-up to the jubilee celebrations, the League will organise an Indo-Palestine Solidarity Day here on October 29.

Mahmoud Al Habbash, Special Advisor to the President of Palestine, will be the chief guest. The League has invited Ambassadors of Arab countries and leaders of various political parties for the event.

Established in 1967 to promote relations between India and Arab countries, the League has organised several meetings in the past in support of the Palestinian cause.

Then Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi, V.P. Singh, I.K. Gujral and Atal Behari Vajpayee have addressed its meetings.

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