Saudi Arabia
People aged above 65 can’t perform Hajj this year: State Minister
Registered intending pilgrims aged over 65 will not be allowed to perform Hajj this year, said State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan on Monday.
“People aged above 65, who have already completed registration for Hajj cannot go to Saudi Arabia this year. The Saudi government has made the decision not only for us but also for the whole world.”
Also read: All preparations taken to ensure smooth hajj management: State Minister
He came up with the information while answering to questions from the journalists at a discussion titled ‘Digital Transaction in Nagad Islamic Financial Management’.
Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) organised the discussion at the Secretariat.
The state minister said holy Eid-ul-Azha will be observed on July 9 (depending on the moon sighting). This year, a total of 57 thousand 856 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj from Bangladesh.
He said, “Pilgrims could not perform Hajj in the last two years. By the blessings of Allah (God), we are going to perform Hajj this year. We will complete a bilateral agreement in this regard with Saudi Arabia soon.”
Faridul Haque said his ministry is working on the holidays including Friday and Saturday to ease the Hajj process within only 34 days as the time is too short this year.
Also read:57,856 Bangladeshis to perform hajj this year
BSRF President Tapan Biswas presided over the programme while Nagad Executive Director Mohammad Aminul Haque, Nagad Islamic Shariah Supervisory Committee Chairman Prof HM Shahidul Islam Barakaty, Islamic Foundation’s Imam Training Academy Director Md. Anisuzzaman Sikder, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Masudul Haque, general secretary of the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum moderated the discussion.
Saudi Arabia will host a million pilgrims for this year’s Hajj
A million pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj in 2022, according to Saudi authorities.
The numbers attending the annual event were severely reduced in the previous two years to combat the coronavirus pandemic, reports Arab News
Pilgrims will need to be under the age of 65 and must have had COVID-19 vaccinations approved by the Kingdom’s health ministry.
All pilgrims will need to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the time of departure.
The decision seeks to allow the largest number of pilgrims to take part in the Hajj, while preserving the health gains achieved by the Kingdom in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, the ministry said.
Read: Hajj management in 2022 to be tech-based: State Minister
The increase will be according to the quotas allocated to countries, taking into account health recommendations.
Last year, 58,745 pilgrims performed Hajj, according to official data.
Before the pandemic, the number of pilgrims often exceeded 2 million.
Yemen’s president steps aside amid efforts to end war
Yemen’s exiled president stepped aside and transferred his powers to a presidential council on Thursday, as international and regional efforts to end the country’s long-running civil war gained momentum with a two-month truce.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, major players in the conflict appear to have played a role in President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's decision, quickly welcoming it with a pledge of $3 billion in aid. The head of the new council has close ties to Riyadh.
Whether the switch will expedite an end to the grinding war remains to be seen, as U.N.-sponsored negotiations have been at an impasse and fighting, airstrikes and missile attacks continued until late last month. The Houthis did not immediately comment on Hadi's announcement.
Also read: Yemen rebels strike oil depot in Saudi city hosting F1 race
Peter Salisbury, Yemen expert at the International Crisis Group, described the power transfer as “A Big Deal.” The development, he tweeted, is the “most consequential shift in the inner workings of the anti-Houthi bloc since war began.”
Hadi, 76, said the newly established council will run the internationally recognized government and lead negotiations with the Iranian-backed Houthis, according to a statement aired on state-run media.
The move is meant to unify the anti-Houthi camp after years of infighting and disputes, and was almost certainly orchestrated in Riyadh, where Yemeni factions were meeting over the past week to discuss efforts to end the war.
“With this declaration a Presidential Leadership Council shall be established to complete the implementation of the tasks of the transitional period. I irreversibly delegate to the Presidential Leadership Council my full powers,” Hadi declared on Yemen’s state-run TV.
Hadi also sacked Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a powerful military figure, and also delegated al-Ahmar’s powers to the presidential council.
The presidential council is chaired by Rashad al-Alimi, an advisor to Hadi and former interior minister with the government of late strongman President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Al-Alimi enjoys close ties with Saudi Arabia and other political groups inside Yemen, including the powerful Islah party — the transnational Muslim Brotherhood’s branch in Yemen.
The council has seven other members, all whom have political and military influence on the ground in Yemen. That includes Aydarous al-Zubaidi, head of the secessionist Southern Transitional Council — an umbrella group of heavily armed and well-financed militias propped up by the UAE since 2015.
Sheikh Sultan al-Aradah, the powerful governor of energy-rich Marib province, was also named a member of the council. So was Tariq Saleh, a militia leader and nephew of the late president who has close ties with the UAE.
Hadi was named president of Yemen in 2012 with a mission to oversee a democratic transition following its Arab Spring uprising that ended Saleh's longtime rule.
However, the Houthis, a religious movement turned rebel militia, allied with Saleh and seized the capital Sanaa in 2014, forcing Hadi and his government into exile in Saudi Arabia.
Months later, Saudi Arabia formed a military coalition and entered the war to try to restore Hadi’s government to power.
The conflict has in recent years become a regional proxy war that has killed more than 150,000 people, including over 14.500 civilians. It has also created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.
Welcoming Hadi's move, Saudi Arabia urged the presidential council to embark on U.N.-led negotiations with the Houthis to find a “political, final and comprehensive” settlement to the conflict, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency.
Powerful Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has also met with the council head and its members, according to Saudi state-run TV.
Also read:UAE intercepts Yemen missile as Israeli president visits
The warring sides announced a two-month cease-fire earlier this month, the first nationwide truce in Yemen in six years.
Hadi’s announcement came as Yemeni talks called by the Saudi-based Gulf Cooperation Council entered their final day on Thursday. The Houthis boycotted the GCC-facilitated efforts because they're taking place in Saudi Arabia, their adversary’s territory.
Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a statement welcoming Hadi's decision and hailing the aid package pledged by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Ramadan begins in 40 Chandpur villages
Residents of as many as 40 villages in Chandpur district began the holy fasting month of Ramadan Saturday, in accordance with Saudi Arabia.
Maulana Zakaria Chowdhury, in charge of Hajiganj Sadra Darbar Sharif, said that the villagers have been celebrating all religious festivals like Eid and Ramadan on the lines of Saudi Arabia, home to the world's most holy Muslim sites, since 1928.
The residents of the villages across the upazilas of Faridganj, Matlab North, Kachua and Shahrasti offered their Tarabi prayers last night and began their dawn-to-sunset fast after having ‘Sehri’ before sunrise.
Also Read: Ramadan starts in Saudi Arabia Saturday
Following an official sighting of the new crescent moon Friday, Saudi Arabia announced that the kingdom would start the holy month of Ramadan Saturday.
This is the first year since 2019 that Ramadan, a holy month for the world's 1.5 billion Muslims, is being observed in the kingdom without Covid restrictions.
Also Read: Prices of essentials to stay tolerable during Ramadan: PM
Saudi Arabia says it's not responsible for high oil prices
Saudi Arabia said Monday that it “won't bear any responsibility" for a shortage in global oil supplies after a fierce barrage of attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels affected production in the kingdom, the world's largest oil exporter.
The unusually stark warning marked a departure from the giant oil producer's typically cautious statements, as Saudi officials remain aware that even their smallest comments can swing the price of oil and rattle global markets.
The salvo of rebel attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities marked a serious escalation in the war, which erupted in 2014 when the Iran-backed Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the country's north. Saudi Arabia and its allies responded with a devastating air campaign to dislodge the Houthis and restore the internationally recognized government.
Seven years later, the conflict has turned into a bloody stalemate and spawned one of the worst humanitarian disasters in the world.
Also read: Asian shares extend losses as oil prices push higher
The state-run Saudi Press Agency quoted the Saudi Foreign Ministry as saying that the kingdom “declares that it will not bear any responsibility for any shortage in oil supplies to global markets in light of the attacks on its oil facilities.”
The announcement comes as the kingdom remains in lockstep with OPEC and other oil-producing countries in a deal limiting production increases. Gulf Arab oil producers have so far resisted pressure from the Biden administration to pump more crude to help bring down oil prices that have soared amid Russia's war on Ukraine.
Already, gasoline prices have hit record highs around the world. Gas prices in the U.S. topped $4.25 on Monday, according to auto club AAA, just below the historic record of $4.33 reached earlier this month.
“The international community must assume its responsibility to preserve energy supplies," the Saudi statement added, in order to deter attacks that jeopardize “the kingdom’s production capability and its ability to fulfill its commitments."
The international oil benchmark Brent crude hovered over $112 a barrel in trading Monday, up more than 4% for the preceding session. The price remained below a peak of nearly $140 hit earlier this month, but still some $15 a barrel more than before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
On Sunday, Yemen's Iran-backed rebels launched one of their most intense series of attacks targeting the kingdom's oil and natural gas production, sparking a fire at a petroleum distribution center in the port of Jiddah, the country’s second-largest city, and disrupting production at a petrochemicals complex in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast.
The overall extent of damage at the installations remained unclear. The Saudi Energy Ministry acknowledged a temporary drop in oil output at the 400,000-barrel-a-day Yanbu site, without elaborating.
The government condemned the attacks as a threat to the security of global oil supplies “in these extremely sensitive circumstances." Even before Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine, global energy supplies were struggling to keep pace with surging post-pandemic demand. The West's punitive sanctions on Moscow, among the world's largest oil producers and exporters, unleashed more turmoil on the market.
The relentless wave of Houthi strikes began before dawn Sunday and sporadically pounded sites throughout the kingdom's south and west for hours, with the roar and thump of missile interceptors rattling residents in Jiddah until just before midnight.
The attacks on installations run by the state-controlled national oil company Aramco, among the world's most significant and valuable companies, exposed the gaps in Saudi defenses and recalled the dramatic attacks on two key oil installations in the country's east that temporarily knocked out half of Saudi Arabia’s total oil production.
Also read: Oil prices jump, shares sink as Ukraine conflict deepens
The Houthis claimed responsibility for that sophisticated attack in September 2019, which the U.S. and Riyadh later blamed on Iran. Even after shrapnel blasted through the critical Abqaiq oil processing facility, Saudi Arabia delivered no such similar warning about its responsibility for global oil supplies and swinging prices. Instead the kingdom stressed it would speedily return to normal levels of production.
After Sunday's strikes, a senior administration official confirmed that the United States has transferred a significant number of Patriot antimissile interceptors to help Saudi Arabia thwart the barrage of Houthi drone and missile attacks.
“We condemn the weekend attacks on Saudi Arabia by the Iran-supported Houthis and will continue to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory,” tweeted U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. “These are attacks against civilians, and they must end.”
Bangladesh wants to be partner of Saudi's green initiative
Bangladesh has requested oil-rich Saudi Arabia to take Bangladesh as a partner in its green initiative across the Middle East.
“Saudi Arabia has taken a great green initiative for the whole of the Middle East,” Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told reporters after a meeting with his Saudi counterpart Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on Wednesday.
He said the Saudi government is planning to plant 50 billion saplings across the Middle East - 10 billion in Saudi Arabia and 40 billion in other Middle East countries.
Read: Will work together to expand cooperation with Bangladesh, says Saudi FM
“We’ve requested them for partnership with us. We want to give saplings and help grow those plants,” Momen said.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia announced it goal to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060, joining more than 100 countries in a global effort to try and curb man-made climate change.
Prince Faisal left Dhaka for home on Wednesday afternoon ending his less than 24-hour official visit to Bangladesh.
Will work together to expand cooperation with Bangladesh, says Saudi FM
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on Wednesday said they are extremely optimistic about the future of Bangladesh and the two countries will work together to expand their cooperation.
“I think there is a lot to be done,” he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at a city hotel, noting that the two countries have a clear target to work together to that end.
Momen led an eight-member Bangladesh delegation while the six-member Saudi delegation was led by its foreign minister at the first-ever "Political Consultations" between the two countries.
Responding to a question, the Saudi foreign minister said they are committed to a “stable” oil market and all indications say there is no concern regarding the oil supply.
He said that they are “very optimistic” about the future of this relationship with Bangladesh. “We just had an excellent political consultation.”
Most importantly, he said they explored how they can expand the partnership as the two countries enjoy a historic strong relationship.
“We’re committed to building up on this strong foundation to a much broader partnership. We see significant interest in the Saudi companies’ presence here," he said.
Among the issues that came up for review and discussion were increased bilateral trade and investment, recruitment of skilled manpower, Hajj management, education, health, environment and climate change, ICT and tourism, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Read:Bangladesh wants to be partner of Saudi's green initiative
Prince Faisal stressed the need for enhancing collaboration in trade and investment and stated that several Saudi companies have already invested in some sectors in Bangladesh and other companies are considering greater engagement in various areas.
He sought policy and institutional support from the Bangladesh side.
The Saudi FM also suggested launching a joint business forum and exchange of business delegation between the two countries to augment bilateral trade and business.
Momen said they are very proud to see this high level political consultation for the first time.
He said some 20 Saudi companies have shown interest to invest in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has assured of providing required facilities in the economic zones, he said.
Momen said they also discussed food security issues noting that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has put a lot of emphasis on this.
He said the Saudi side assured of hassle-free clearance of visas for 100 percent hajj applicants.
The Saudi foreign minister arrived in Dhaka on a brief official visit on Tuesday evening.
Saudi FM in city; meetings with PM, FM Wednesday
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud arrived in Dhaka on a brief official visit Tuesday evening.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen received his Saudi counterpart at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at around 6:07pm.
Read: Saudi FM due Tuesday; meetings with PM, FM Wednesday
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan were also present.
In his less than 24-hour visit at the invitation of Momen, the Saudi Foreign Minister will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Gonobhaban on Wednesday morning, according to his programme schedule.
The Foreign Minister will hold a “tete-a-tete” with his Saudi counterpart at a city hotel the same day which will be followed by bilateral “political consultation” between the two countries at the same venue.
Dhaka, Riyadh "dynamic partnership" to reach new height under inspired leadership: Saudi envoy
Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan on Wednesday said the "dynamic partnership" and long-standing relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will further flourish and reach to a new height. "My utmost priority is to work for the betterment of the people of Bangladesh, maintain the good relationship and take it to a new height," he said while briefing the journalists at the new premise of the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka. Every year, the ambassador said, 150,000 Bangladeshis travel to Saudi Arabia in order to perform Hajj.
Read:Saudi FM due in Dhaka Mar 16 to discuss big investment proposals "We hope that, insha'Allah, after getting back to the new normal we will be able to accommodate the Bangladeshi pilgrims like past years," Al Dulaihan said. In terms of manpower export, the Saudi envoy said, solid contacts have been developed between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, which benefits Bangladesh economy and the lives of the migrant workers' families as well. The people of Saudi Arabia also deeply acknowledge the contribution of Bangladeshi workers towards the development of the Saudi economy, he said, adding that for both countries, it is a "win-win" situation.
Saudi Arabia Records Increase in the Recruitment Contracts of Domestic Workers in 2021
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia recorded an increase in the total recruitment contracts of domestic workers during the fourth quarter of the year 2021, where the rate of increase between October and December reached more than 15%, according to "Musaned" platform of the Saudi Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which is specialized in the recruitment of domestic workers.
Saudi Arabia is utilizing "Musaned" platform to add several new countries to the recruitment of workers in the current year 2022. The Kingdom is also keen to have the domestic workers exported from the new countries fit the Saudi family, based on several studies and criteria, including: epidemics, crime rate, language, educational level, expected recruitment cost, salaries, and other criteria. The platform indicated that the recruitment contracts of the domestic workers recorded an increase during the fourth quarter of the last year by amounting to 65,000 contracts in October, rising in November to more than 69,000 contracts, while in December they exceeded the ceiling of 76,000 contracts, thus recording a steady increase in the number of recruitment contracts at the end of 2021.
READ: Bangladesh lambasts Houthi attack on Saudi Arabia's Jazan
"Musaned" platform indicated that Bangladesh topped the list of countries with the highest domestic workers recruitment contracts during the month of December of the year 2021 with more than 12 thousand contracts, while Pakistan came second with more than 11 thousand contracts, followed by the India with about 11 thousand contracts. The latter recorded in December a higher turnout in issuing contracts compared to the months of October and November.
READ: Bangladesh condemns Houthi attack on southern Saudi Arabia
Based on the November records, Philippines recorded 13,000 recruitment contracts, followed by the Bangladesh with 13,000 contracts, and Egypt with more than 9,000 contracts. Philippines recorded the same figure of 13,000 contracts in October, while the number from Bangladesh rose to more than 11,000 contracts, and Uganda ranked third with about 10,000 contracts. It is worth noting that "Musaned" platform aims to govern, automate and facilitate the procedures of the recruitment of domestic workers and increase the level of protection of the rights of all parties by managing the contracting process between individuals and the recruitment offices, in addition to the management of the relationship between the Saudi recruitment offices and the domestic workers offices in the workers exporting countries.
Source: ALSON World