Diplomatic efforts by two countries to return the body of a Bangladeshi-origin German citizen in Cairo

Alamgir Chowdhury, a German citizen of Bangladeshi origin, has died of a heart attack in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. He breathed his last at Heliopolis Hospital in New Cairo, Cairo, on Sunday (October 25). 

After Alamgir Chowdhury's death, the issue of whether his body will be sent to Germany or Bangladesh has come to the fore, based on the wishes of the family and the necessary procedures of the concerned authorities. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Embassy in Cairo is conducting the necessary activities to repatriate his body.

According to relevant sources, Alamgir Chowdhury arrived in Egypt on October 8 this year. He died of a heart attack 17 days later. After verifying his identity and family information, it was revealed that he was a German citizen. It is known that he has a Bangladeshi passport as well as a German passport.

Alamgir Chowdhury's village is in Ukilpara village of Sadar upazila of Naogaon district, Bangladesh. His father's name is the late Mozammel Haque Chowdhury and his mother's name is Jahan Ara Begum Chowdhury. Although he has German citizenship, he has family and hereditary ties to Bangladesh.

There are two possibilities regarding where the body will be sent. If the German government takes the necessary steps, arrangements can be made to send the body to Germany. On the other hand, if his family members in Bangladesh want to repatriate the body, necessary arrangements can be made accordingly.

In this regard, Zakir Hossain, Labor Secretary of the Bangladesh Embassy in Cairo, said that some procedures for sending the body to Bangladesh will be completed through the German Embassy and the remaining necessary procedures will be completed through the Bangladesh Embassy. 

He said, all necessary activities regarding Alamgir Chowdhury are being conducted by the Bangladesh Embassy. If necessary, the German Embassy in Cairo will also be informed about the matter. Coordination between the relevant authorities of the two countries and completion of necessary formalities are important for sending the body home. The issue of taking further steps according to the wishes of the family members is also gaining importance.

He further said that the issue of handing over the body to the family of a Bangladeshi citizen who died abroad is of humanitarian importance. It is expected that the necessary process will be completed quickly with the coordinated efforts of the concerned authorities.