United News of Bangladesh

Suwaidi Park in Riyadh overflowed with thousands of expatriate Bangladeshis as renowned artist Asif Akbar made his presence felt among the Bangladesh community and their friends from other participating countries, including the host - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The atmosphere was electric—yet deeply emotional—as their beloved singer connected heart-to-heart with the very people who keep Bangladesh’s economy moving from miles away. Speaking with warmth and sincerity, Asif Akbar emphasised that the remittance fighters - the expatriate workers who sacrifice comfort, family time, and their personal dreams - deserve more than just appreciation. They deserve joy, he said. Bangladesh’s colourful heritage takes centre‐stage at Riyadh’s Global Harmony festival “Remittance fighters need entertainment to breathe, to stay human,” Asif said passionately. “Without moments of happiness with entertainment, people become hardened by the struggles they carry every day." Asif who sang a huge number of hit songs like ‘O Priya Tumi Kothai’ shed light on the silent battles these workers face abroad - loneliness, isolation, tireless labor, and the emotional burden of constantly giving while rarely receiving. Yet, despite the weight on their shoulders, they continue to send money home, build futures for their families, and strengthen the foundations of Bangladesh’s economy, he remembered. Asif described expatriate Bangladeshis as “the most patriotic sons and daughters of our nation.” He praised their unwavering dedication, calling them pillars of progress whose sacrifices often go unnoticed. “They work in foreign lands, far from loved ones, just to keep joy alive back home. But in doing so, they often lose their own moments of happiness,” Asif mentioned in between the conversation with the audience from the large stage. In Suwaidi Park, surrounded by the cheers and warmth of his compatriots, Asif reminded everyone that behind every remittance sent home lies a story of resilience, sacrifice and unspoken pain. And through music and togetherness, even for a brief moment, those burdens felt a little lighter, said the singer who sang for nearly two hours. With each song, expatriates Bangladeshis were seen singing together with their favourite singers. The Saudi Ministry of Media launched the second edition of the Global Harmony in cooperation with the General Entertainment Authority highlighting cultures of 14 countries, including Bangladesh. The ‘Bangladeshi Cultural’ segment began on November 11 and ended on Friday night (Riyadh time, November 14). Asif highly appreciated the Saudi government, Saudi Ministry of Media and everyone involved for hosting such a mega event. He also thanked the organisers for honoring the Bangladeshi expatriate community with an opportunity to enjoy a concert free of charge. Read more: Global Harmony: Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage to shine in Riyadh The event, hosted by popular Bangladeshi actress Prarthana Fardin Dighi and Rabiul Haque Zaman, showcased the rich traditions, music, dance, and cuisine of Bangladesh as part of Saudi Arabia’s Global Harmony initiative. Thousands of expatriate Bangladeshis, along with some of their families, gathered to enjoy live performances and sing together, transforming the park into a sea of sounds and lights. For many, it was an emotional and pride-filled night, a moment to reconnect with their roots and share their culture with the wider Saudi community, celebrating unity, friendship, and the growing cultural ties between Bangladesh and the Kingdom. “This is absolutely amazing. We remain busy, struggling every day here to keep our families smiling back home. This event is refreshing and a chance to share joy with friends,” Rumel, a Bangladeshi expatriate who attended with his friends, told UNB. “I came here to host for the first time — a role I’ve never played before. It feels wonderful to be here, close to the Bangladeshi community. The audience is amazing. We are grateful to the Saudi authorities and the Ministry of Media,” Dighi told UNB. Sarry Shaaban, spokesperson for the Global Harmony committee, expressed his excitement at hosting one of the largest expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia as part of the initiative. “We are thrilled to have the Bangladeshi community join us. This event will help Saudi audiences learn more about Bangladesh and its culture,” he said. Other nations and regions to be featured in the event include Egypt (Nov. 15–17); the Levant (Nov. 18–20); Yemen (Nov. 21–28); Pakistan (Nov. 29–Dec. 1); Indonesia (Dec. 2–4); the Philippines (Dec. 5–8); Uganda (Dec. 9–10); Ethiopia (Dec. 11–13); and Sudan (Dec. 14–20). The Global Harmony initiative was first launched in October 2024 to celebrate the diversity of the Kingdom’s residents. Last year’s event celebrated the cultures of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Philippines. Last year’s event featured legendary Bangladeshi rock icon Nagar Baul James, DJ Sonica, and popular singers Habib Wahid, Porshi, and Beauty Khan — with James’s first-ever performance in Riyadh being a major highlight. The Global Harmony initiative continues to host a series of cultural weeks representing 14 countries over a span of 49 days. The programme is part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, reinforcing Riyadh’s position as a global hub for cultural and civilizational diversity. Read more: Saudi Arabia to allow 78,500 Bangladeshis for 2026 Hajj

The ‘Bangladesh Culture’ segment of the prestigious ‘Global Harmony 2’ initiative is set to begin on Tuesday afternoon (5:30 pm KSA time), showcasing the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage and lifestyle of Bangladesh. This high-profile event will highlight various aspects of the lives of Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia, offering visitors a colorful glimpse into the nation’s traditions, art, and customs. A diverse lineup of artistes, celebrities and influencers from Bangladesh, including renowned singer Asif Akbar and actress Dighi, will celebrate the country’s rich cultural identity through performances at Al-Suwaidi Park over the four-day event. Filled with lively performances, traditional music and dance and a taste of authentic Bangladeshi cuisine, the celebration promises to be a spectacular showcase of Bangladesh’s heritage. The artistes will present a series of cultural and theatrical performances reflecting the nation’s artistic excellence. Last year, the event featured iconic Bangladeshi rock legend Nagar Baul James, DJ Sonica and popular singers Habib Wahid, Porshi, and Beauty Khan — with James’s first-ever performance in Riyadh being a major highlight. Read more: Saudi Arabia to roll out digital deportation platform The Global Harmony Initiative continues to host a series of cultural weeks representing 14 countries over a span of 49 days. The programme is part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, strengthening Riyadh’s role as a global hub for cultural and civilisational diversity. The Saudi Ministry of Media concluded the Indian Cultural Week, another installment of the ‘Global Harmony 2’ initiative. The event attracted over 200,000 visitors and featured an array of artistic and cultural performances that reflected the deep-rooted ties between Saudi Arabia and India, while celebrating Riyadh’s growing cultural diversity. The Indian Cultural Week, an initiative under the Quality of Life Program supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, brought together more than 100 Indian artists who presented theatrical, artistic and heritage performances that highlighted India’s rich cultural identity. Interactive pavilions showcased traditional arts, crafts, cuisine, and customs from different regions of India, drawing significant attention from diplomats, cultural figures, and large crowds of citizens, residents and members of the Indian community. The week concluded with energetic artistic performances by Indian troupes, met with enthusiastic audience participation and applause, embodying the spirit of cultural exchange that the Kingdom seeks to foster. Read more: Saudi Arabia set to shorten Umrah visa validity

Saudi Arabia’s General Directorate of Passports (Jawazat) is set to introduce a new “Self-Deportation Platform” that will allow illegal residents to complete their departure procedures online, marking a shift away from traditional deportation methods. Acting Director General of Jawazat Maj. Gen. Saleh Al-Murabba announced the initiative during the Digital Government Forum 2025 in Riyadh on Thursday (6th November 2025). He said the digital platform will be launched once all security, technical, and operational measures are finalised. “This will enable violators of residency, labor, and border laws to complete their exit processes electronically,” he explained. Al-Murabba also revealed that the directorate is preparing to launch a “smart track” system to simplify airport procedures. The new track will use smart cameras capable of verifying the identities of up to 35 travelers at once, allowing them to pass through without interacting with passport officers. Read more: AI boom hits Bangladesh amid global race in ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ The Jawazat chief further announced plans to introduce “Digital Twins” technology — an advanced system that uses data models and analytics to monitor crowd movements, calculate waiting times, and assess passenger satisfaction. The technology was successfully tested during the 2024 Hajj season, reports Saudi Gazette . He added that the digital passport, already available through the “Absher” platform, is being developed further through new international agreements to expand its global use. According to Al-Murabba, the new digital systems will help streamline departure procedures, eliminating the need for passengers to go through manual passport control. Smart devices, automated verification, and connected security systems will facilitate smoother travel experiences. The Jawazat is also planning to establish a “unified gateway” for real-time exchange of passenger data between countries, improving international coordination during transit through Saudi Arabia. Highlighting the Ministry of Interior’s ongoing digital transformation, Al-Murabba said visitors to the Kingdom can already witness major advancements in passport services. The goal, he noted, is to turn Saudi Arabia’s ports of entry into AI-powered smart gateways that ensure faster and more efficient travel. He also expressed pride that Jawazat currently offers over 100 digital services through the Absher platform, benefiting more than 24 million users in 2024. Additionally, the newly launched Smart Voice Agent service now provides 24/7 assistance without human intervention, available through the number 992. Read more: Saudi Arabia set to shorten Umrah visa validity

Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will hold the second political consultations in Riyadh on July 1 which is likely to highlight issues related to trade, investment, Bangladeshi migrants, Rohingya crisis and other issues of mutual interests, officials said on Sunday (June 30, 2024). Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud will lead the Bangladesh and Saudi delegations respectively at the high-level meeting that will be held at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Issues related to education, health, environment and climate change, ICT and tourism are also likely to be discussed in the meeting. FM Hasan is scheduled to reach Riyadh early Monday on a two-day official visit, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. The foreign minister is scheduled to return home on July 3. Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister Sheikh Salman F Rahman will be part of the delegation as investment issues may come up in a big way. Additional Foreign Secretary (bilateral East and West)  Md Nazrul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Javed Patwary, Director General of West Asia Wing Shafiqur Rahman and Director Nafisa Monsur will accompany the foreign minister as part of Bangladesh delegation members. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, who is also the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is likely to pay an official visit to Bangladesh later this year. This would be a landmark event in the history of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia leading to the consolidation of ties, especially in trade and commerce, investment and economic cooperation, according to official on both sides. The Saudi crown prince has accepted the invitation extended by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit the country this year, and both sides may discuss the issue further for finalization of details, a Bangladesh official told UNB speaking on condition of anonymity. PM’s upcoming China visit a reflection of maintaining balanced diplomacy: Foreign Minister It would be the first ever visit of any Saudi crown prince to Bangladesh after 1985 when the then Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdulaziz visited Dhaka. A good number of bilateral instruments -- MoUs and agreements – are likely to be signed during the visit of the Saudi leader, which would strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries significantly, both sides hope. The first ever political consultations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia were held on March 16, 2022 in Dhaka. At the meeting, both the leaders reaffirmed the bond of enduring ties and friendship existing between the two brotherly countries and expressed satisfaction over the state of bilateral cooperation. They noted the understanding and goodwill existing at the political level between the two countries and emphasised the need for devising means and ways to translate this into concrete outcomes. Both sides further stressed the need to coordinate and work together at functional levels to carry forward the policy decision for mutual benefit of the peoples of the two countries.  Several Saudi companies have already invested in some sectors in Bangladesh and some other companies are considering greater engagement in various areas. Bangladeshi immigration emerges as UK election issue after Labour leader’s comments spark outrage The envoy said about 2.8 million Bangladeshis working in Saudi Arabia are also making significant contributions to Saudi and Bangladesh economies. In May this year, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) wanted to know the progress of efforts in renewing the passports of the Rohingyas who went to the KSA back in 1973-74 with Bangladeshi passports. Saudi Deputy Interior Minister Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al-Daoud discussed the issue with Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan during a bilateral meeting at that time. Read more: Saudi Crown Prince exchanges greetings with Hasan Mahmud

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said here on Thursday the relations between his country and Saudi Arabia are moving in the right direction and both sides will advance cooperation in various fields. Also read:Iranian Ambassador discusses potential of enhancing bilateral trade with Bangladesh Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a joint press conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud after their meeting in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The Iranian top diplomat, who is on his first official visit to Saudi Arabia since the two countries agreed to restore diplomatic relations in a China-brokered deal in March, said his meeting with the Saudi minister was "fruitful." Also read:Neymar completes Saudi move to Al Hilal after 6 seasons with Paris Saint-Germain Iran is committed to implementing the agreements reached between the two countries in the security and economic fields, and will set up a technical and executive committee to promote their implementation, he said. Amir-Abdollahian confirmed that the Iranian president will visit Saudi Arabia soon. Read also:Bangladesh to benefit from new SAUDIA fleet expansion He also voiced his support for Saudi Arabia to host the World Expo 2030. While stressing the importance of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Iran, the Saudi minister said the restoration of diplomatic relations with Iran is the key to maintaining regional security. He said Saudi Arabia will maintain communication and coordination with Iran and promote new progress in bilateral relations on the basis of mutual respect. The Saudi official also welcomed the Iranian president's planned visit to Saudi Arabia.

Bangladesh has reiterated its request to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to explore possible cooperation from the country in meeting Bangladesh’s domestic energy needs. Reflecting on the current political instability in parts of Europe, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday urged Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan to explore possible cooperation from Saudi Arabia and take up the issue of considering crude or refined oil from Aramco (Saudi Arabian Oil Company) on a deferred payment basis. The Saudi envoy assured to take up the proposal with the appropriate authorities in the Kingdom, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also conveyed KSA’s readiness to facilitate Bangladesh’s proposal to set up a fertilizer industry in Saudi Arabia. Also Read: 16,000 MW: Forecast of possible electricity demand during upcoming irrigation season The Ambassador handed over a letter to Momen from Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al- Saud inviting the Foreign Minister to undertake an official visit to Saudi Arabia to review and expedite ongoing mutual collaboration. The Foreign Minister appreciated and accepted the invitation, thanked the Ambassador and said the visit schedule would be fixed through diplomatic channels. During the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they exchanged views on issues of mutual interests pertaining to bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Welcoming the Saudi envoy in his office, Foreign Minister Momen commended him for his dynamic role in promoting the bilateral relationship. They discussed and reviewed various bilateral issues and expressed satisfaction at the state of relations flourishing rapidly in many fields including political, economic, trade & investment, security & defense, manpower and other areas. On the prospect of further employment in the Saudi Arabia with reference to Neom city, the Foreign Minister conveyed Bangladesh’s readiness in providing skilled workers and technicians in different trades and also indicated readiness of the Government to assign dedicated university or training institute to train manpower in specialized trades to cater to the needs of Saudi Arabia. Noting progress of the Saudi investment in the renewable energy sector, the Foreign Minister urged the Envoy to explore the possibility of prospective financing in the Eastern Refinery Unit-2 from Saudi Fund for Development (SFD). Reaffirming support to Saudi Arabia in the multilateral fora, Momen recalled Bangladesh’s support to Saudi Arabia in hosting the Expo-2030 in Riyadh. The Saudi Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the Minister for his continuous support and guidance in taking forward the bilateral engagements to new heights and continued support in the multilateral fora.  

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Monday said Bangladesh needs brotherly support from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in meeting its energy needs. He said this while reflecting on the current energy crisis in view of the Russia- Ukraine war when KSA Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan met him at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read: UAE keen to scale up engagements with Bangladesh The Saudi envoy stated that he would take up the issue with the concerned Saudi stakeholders. The Saudi envoy also apprised the Minister about the recent terrorist activities conducted by the Houthis in Arab peninsula despite ceasefire. He appreciated the role of Bangladesh in supporting Saudi Arabia and in denouncing terrorism against the Houthis. Read: Argentina’s foreign minister says will open embassy in Dhaka: Media report During the meeting, the State Minister underlined the need to engage more efforts to scale up bilateral collaboration beyond the traditional labour market and Hajj and Umrah. He stated that Saudi Arabia was playing a more visible role in multilateral fora which is encouraging for the Muslim Ummah.

Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) will sign two important agreements on security cooperation and "Route to Meeca" service on Sunday which would consolidate relations between the two countries. Under Route to Meeca service agreement, Hajis (Pilgrims) would be able to complete their immigration in Dhaka prior to their departure to Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh is the first country with whom Saudi Arabia is going to sign Route to Mecca service agreement considering "excellent relations" between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, said the government. Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia will join hands to train police personnel including women police. "I thought this is a new opening. Our women police are doing good. It's (such cooperation) good," he said after his meeting with Saudi Deputy Interor Minister Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood at State guesthouse Padma on Saturday evening.

Only a few years ago, a Halloween party, which was variously viewed as a suspiciously pagan foreign holiday or as sinful, unnecessary and weird, meant arrests in Saudi Arabia. Now, a government-sponsored "horror weekend" means sold-out costume shops and scary clowns. This year, it looked like creatures from a haunted house had escaped and taken over parts of the Saudi capital Riyadh. Monsters, witches, and bank robbers were everywhere, according to The New York Times. Saudi Arabia celebrated the festival of Halloween alongside activities of the Riyadh Season 2022 from October 27 to 29, two days before the Americans' Halloween celebrations. Read: Halloween crowd stampede in Seoul leaves at least 151 dead "The atmosphere at the weekend is terrifying," the head of the General Authority for Entertainment, Advisor to the Saudi Royal Court, Turki Al-Sheikh, wrote on social media. However, the government-sponsored event was not, strictly speaking, a Halloween festival. Instead, it was promoted as a horror weekend, conveniently coinciding with the weekend before Halloween. Some of the revellers seemed to have only a vague idea of what Halloween was, and had come simply to enjoy the atmosphere, reported The New York Times.

Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are keen to strengthen economic cooperation through an increased presence in the fields of trade, investment and direct shipping connectivity between Chattogram and Jeddah. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Monday and discussed ways to further broaden the relations. Tha Ambassador congratulated the government of Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for successful completion of the Padma Multipurpose Bridge. Also read: Bangladesh gets another 4 mn doses of COVID-19 vaccine from US The State Minister thanked the Ambassador and government of Saudi Arabia for necessary arrangements including pre-immigration facilities for pilgrims at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The Ambassador briefed the State Minister on further willingness of more Saudi investment in Bangladesh. The State Minister expressed his satisfaction over the excellent relationship that exists between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia in bilateral and multilateral sectors. Also read: Dhaka requests London for resettlement of one lakh Rohingyas He thanked the Ambassador for his efforts in promoting the relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. They also discussed cooperation in the areas of culture, education and tourism.