United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh on Sunday sought further information from Saudi Arabia regarding the recent execution of two Bangladeshi nationals, raising the issue with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah. Secretary (East & West) Dr Md Nazrul Islam sought detailed information about the executions during a meeting with the Saudi Ambassador, a senior official at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told UNB. When asked whether the move could be described as summoned, another official told UNB, “No, it was not." Although Dhaka raised the issue with the Saudi envoy, it expressed confidence that the incident would not affect the strong bilateral relations between the two countries. The importance of staying “mindful” of the laws of the host country was also discussed. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of cooperation between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia across various sectors. On Saturday, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam said the government had yet to receive detailed official information from Saudi authorities regarding the execution of a Bangladeshi man and a woman, adding that such unfortunate news was unexpected. “We have yet to receive any official detailed information from the Saudi government,” she told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that Bangladesh sent a letter to the Saudi government requesting detailed information. Earlier, Saudi media reported that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia executed the two Bangladeshis after they were convicted of committing “indecent acts” inside a mosque in the holy city of Mecca. Quoting the Saudi Interior Ministry, Gulf News reported that the court imposed the sentences because of the seriousness of the offence, the violation of the sanctity of the mosque, and the circumstances in which the acts were committed. The Saudi authorities identified the two Bangladeshis as Nazrul Islam Abdul Basir and Siti Akhtar. “On October 14, we learned that two Bangladeshi nationals had been sentenced to death under Saudi Arabian law and that the executions had been carried out,” the State Minister said, noting that neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Bangladesh Mission in Saudi Arabia had been informed in advance. “We wanted to know whatever we needed to know. Let the reply come. I will be able to let you know,” Shama said. Upon learning of the incident, the Bangladesh Mission notified the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment, sharing all the information it had gathered from Saudi authorities. The State Minister said the government sent a formal inquiry to ascertain the full details, including the identities of the individuals, their backgrounds in Bangladesh, and when they had originally arrived in Saudi Arabia for work. Based on past experience, the State Minister said Saudi Arabia has its own legal framework and that anyone found guilty of a grave offence is punished in accordance with the country’s laws. “The execution of two Bangladeshis in Saudi Arabia serves as a major lesson for us,” she said. Shama Obaid said the repatriation of the bodies could be arranged once a response to the letter is received from Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan, met BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia on Monday night and invited her to perform Umrah in his country. The hour-long meeting that began around 8pm was held at the BNP chairperson’s Gulshan office. Khaleda’s personal physician and BNP Standing Committee member Professor Dr. AZ M Zahid Hossain, along with her advisory council member Dr  Enamul Haque Chowdhury, were present at the meeting. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Dr Zahid said the Saudi Ambassador paid a courtesy call to the BNP chief. On behalf of the Saudi King and Crown Prince, Youssef Al-Duhailan conveyed their greetings to the BNP chief. He inquired about Khaleda Zia's health and wanted to know when she might be able to travel abroad for medical treatment, Zahid said. He said the Saudi envoy extended an invitation to the BNP chief to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia, either during her trip abroad or upon her return. In response to a question, Zahid mentioned that Khaleda refrained from making any comments on political matters during the meeting. This was the first meeting of Khaleda with any foreign envoy since she was sent to jail on February 8, 2018.  

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan on Tuesday appreciated Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s leadership in taking Bangladesh forward with some mega achievements.    “I consider it a privilege to see Bangladesh flourish under the visionary leadership of PM Sheikh Hasina by fulfilling her promises to accomplish the people's dream and taking the country towards sustainable development,” he said. The construction of Padma Bridge and Shitalakhya Bridge are the mega achievements of the government, which connects Chattogram and the southwestern districts with Narayangong, said the Saudi envoy. He was speaking at an event at the Saudi Embassy on Tuesday to hand over food baskets for the people of Bangladesh and the Rohingyas from the custodian of the two holy Mosques--King Salman bin Abdulaziz. The Ambassador said that he was present at the inaugural ceremony of the Shitalakhya Bridge on Monday. “I am proud to be part of Bangladesh’s achievement,” he said. The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre is distributing 57250 baskets, 23kg each through Allamah Fazlullah Foundation. The Saudi Ambassador said Saudi Arabia's government and people have always stood behind Bangladesh by providing unconditional assistance. “And today's program provides an opportunity to recommit ourselves to working to strengthen the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's long-standing and dynamic partnership with Bangladesh,” he said. Since the founding in 2015, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre has been providing assistance and humanitarian aid under the sponsorship of King Salman bin Abdulaziz. KSrelief aims to provide humanitarian aid and relief to those in need through international, regional, and local partners, which have delivered aid to more than 86 nations. In Bangladesh, until September this year total completed and ongoing projects of  KSrelief stands at 41 at a cost of around $19 million, said the Saudi envoy.  

Saudi Arabian ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Yussef Essa Al Dulaihan on Sunday met Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury at the latter’s office here. During the meeting, different issues of bilateral interest, including relations between the parliaments of the two countries, parliamentary friendship group, investment and development came up for the discussion. Describing Saudi Arabia as a long friend of Bangladesh, Speaker Dr Chaudhury said creation of employment scopes in Saudi Arabia for a larger number of Bangladeshi skilled workers is a commendable initiative. Also read: Rohingyas with Bangladeshi passports considered as Bangladeshis: Saudi envoy She sought the overall cooperation from Saudi Arabia for development of Bangladesh in future. The Saudi ambassador invited the Speaker to attend as the chief guest at a celebration programme to be arranged marking the 45th anniversary of the Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia diplomatic relations. Also read: Outgoing Saudi envoy meets President He said the parliamentary friendship group can play an important role in strengthening ties between the two parliaments and the two peoples, said a Parliament handout.

Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan on Sunday said they are considering those Rohingyas as Bangladeshis who have been to Saudi Arabia with Bangladeshi passports.