Wearing black sunglasses and a white hat, with a quiver slung over her shoulder bearing the Palestinian flag, Rasha Yahya Ahmed cut a striking figure at practice. The Palestinian archer, her face framed by a black hijab, trained with quiet focus on a crisp autumn morning at Dhaka’s Paltan Outer Stadium.
From November 8 to 14, Dhaka will host the 24th Asian Archery Championships — and for the first time, a Palestinian archer will take part in an international event in Bangladesh.
The people and government of Bangladesh have long shown solidarity with Palestine’s struggle for freedom. Since the start of Israel’s recent aggression in Gaza, Bangladesh has voiced strong opposition, with citizens joining anti-war demonstrations and boycotts.
Rasha is deeply aware of this support. Visiting Bangladesh for the first time, she expressed heartfelt appreciation:
“From the moment we arrived, everyone has been incredibly warm and welcoming. Even on the way from the airport, people greeted us with such kindness. Everyone is smiling, helpful, and genuinely happy to have us here.”
Born in Gaza, Rasha studied in Oman, earning both her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Muscat. She now works in the UAE as a Strategic Assistant Manager at a private organisation. She discovered archery only three years ago but has already competed internationally in Korea, Qatar, and elsewhere.
“The arrangements here in Dhaka are truly impressive – everything is up to international standards,” she said. “To be honest, I don’t feel any difference between here and Korea. The organisation is excellent.”
Rasha will compete in the women’s recurve individual event, while her teammates – Ali Alahmad Khaled, Awad Sami, and Badwan Osayed – take part in compound events. “We’ve come here as one team, not just to participate, but to compete – to perform well and challenge the very best,” she added.
Although she lives abroad, her heart remains in Gaza. “As a Palestinian, it’s heartbreaking to see what’s happening there. But when we compete internationally and raise our flag, we represent Palestine – and that means so much to us.”
She credits the Palestinian Archery Federation for staying in touch and supporting athletes everywhere, despite the challenges.
“As athletes, we know what it means to represent Palestine,” she said. “Carrying your nation’s flag when you can’t even train in your own country is powerful beyond words. Every time I pick up my bow and wear my uniform, it fills me with pride.”
Moved by the hospitality in Dhaka, she concluded: “I can really feel the love and support from the people of Bangladesh. It’s as if they’ve made us their own. I hope one day, God willing, we’ll be able to welcome them to Palestine.”
