Oxford Union invites President Hamid but gets no response

The world’s most celebrated students' union invited President Abdul Hamid to speak at the prestigious Oxford institution, an offer the Bangladesh head of state did not accept for now as he left Dhaka for a private visit to the United Kingdom.

The Oxford Union invite was valid for eight weeks from the day of his departure, Apr 24, 2017.

“It would be a great privilege to host you as a guest, and I sincerely hope you will be able to accept this invitation,” Michael Li, president of the Union, said in his letter to President Hamid.

“Our term runs from 24th April 2017 until 16th June 2017, and we would be thrilled to host you as part of your upcoming visit to the United Kingdom.”

The president’s UK trip that began on Apr 24 would have perfectly suited the Oxford Union plan. He is in London for a medical checkup and will fly to Frankfurt on Apr 29 for a not-officially-disclosed three-day personal visit.

He will return to London on May 2 and take the flight home the following day.

“The Oxford Union has a rich history,” Michael Li said in his letter of invitation.

“Founded in 1823 to protect and uphold the principles of free speech and debate in England at a time when they were under threat, it has grown to become the most prestigious student society in the world.”

And he went on to remind the Bangladesh politician of the kind of list he would be on.

“The Oxford Union has hosted world leaders in every field, including Albert Einstein, Sir Winston Churchill, former US Presidents Reagan, Nixon, and Carter, Malcolm X, Mother Teresa, the Dalai Lama, Michael Jackson, Diego Maradona, Malala Yousafzai, Morgan Freeman and Sir Elton John, to name but a few.

“It would be an honour if you were to continue this fine tradition.”

The Oxford Union has hosted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Muhammad Yunus, as well as a panel discussion on Bangladesh in 2016, “attended by the likes of Prof Sir Paul Collier CBE, Prof Gowher Rizvi, and Dr Kamal Hossain”.

“There would be no greater honour than hearing your invaluable perspective on Bangladesh’s political and cultural history as well as further understanding your social activism beyond politics.”

Li’s letter devotes a long paragraph to President Hamid’s impressive rise from a grassroots politician to the very top.

“Your lifetime commitment and progressive action towards the development of Bangladesh is profound and the Oxford Union would be honoured to host an individual of your outstanding calibre.

“From the beginning of your expansive political career as a leading actor in the anti-Ayub Movement to your fundamental role as a Member of Parliament, Speaker and now President, I am personally struck by your outstanding influence and perseverance in the face of challenges.

“The exceptional contributions you have made to the Independence and Liberation War have been suitably recognised with your Independence Day Award in 2013, and our engaged members would be privileged to hear you speak on overcoming imprisonment and opposition to help transform Bangladesh.

“Furthermore, as a patron of education and culture, your commitment to establishing schools and colleges in your constituency resonates closely with the Oxford Union’s commitment to educational development.”

The Oxford Union Society, as it is formally known and whose members are drawn mostly from Oxford University students interested in debating topical issues, is not the official body representing the university’s students but more prestigious and recognised all over the world than the official OUSU.

The Oxford Union has long associated itself with freedom of speech and, in 1933, famously passed the motion “This House would under no circumstances fight for its King and country”.

The Union’s notable past presidents have included several UK prime ministers, scores of cabinet ministers, top journalists, current prime minister’s spouse Philip May and Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto.