Dhaka, Riyadh vow to work together for global peace
UNB
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday agreed to work together for ensuring global peace, stability, development, unity and welfare of the Muslim Ummah, reports UNB from Jeddah. The two leaders reached the consensus during their talks at the Al Salam Palace, Al Andalus in Jeddah. Foreign Secretary M Shahidul Haque and PMs Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim jointly briefed reporters after the meeting.
Terming the one-hour parley between Saudi King and Bangladesh Prime Minister very fruitful, they said the Saudi King said twice that Saudi Arabia considers Bangladesh to be a top Islamist country. King Salman, the custodian of the two holy mosques, said Bangladesh is an important country in the Muslim world.
Apart from the global peace and stability, the Saudi King also noted that immense potentials are there to boost trade and commerce between the two countries alongside increasing people-to-people contacts.
Salman also recognised the big role and contribution of Bangladesh towards ensuring global peace, progress and stability.
The Foreign Secretary said the talks were held in a very cordial, friendly and warm environment.
He said the Prime Ministers visit has not only opened a new chapter, but also reachedthe Bangladesh-Saudia Arabia relations to a newer height.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the Saudi King that Bangladesh is committed to working with Saudi Arabia for promoting peace, stability and development of the world.
Both the Foreign Secretary and the PMs Press Secretary said a comprehensive relationship between the two countries has evolved with this visit of the Prime Minister.
The Foreign and the Press Secretary said during the meeting, the Prime Minister highlighted four key issues before the Saudi King.
Sheikh Hasina firstly underscored the need for spreading the spirit of real Islam among everyone so that no one could take advantage through misinterpreting Islam.
She informed the King about her governments stride towards building some 560 mosques and Islamic centers in Bangladeshs all the districts and upazilas to spread the words of peace and development of Islam to turn Bangladesh into a peaceful, harmonial and progressive country.
In response, the King said he would send a senior Saudi Minister to Bangladesh in this connection, saying, Were happy to cooperate in this regard.
Mentioning the establishment of Islamic Arabic University in the country, Hasina said this was established to spread Arabic language, culture and Islam in true sense to eradicate propaganda against Islam. A
About Digital Quran with Bangla interpretation which is available online, the Saudi King was very delighted in this regard and said he would extend any kind of cooperation in this regard, if necessary.
The Prime Minister said several Special Economic Zones could be identified in Bangladesh for the Saudi entrepreneurs and investors where they can invest in power, energy, agro-based industry and IT sectors. Following the proposal from the Prime Minister seeking Saudi assistance for building multimodal circular transport system in the capital, including Dhaka circular route and eastern bypass to ease traffic congestion, the Saudi King termed it as a good proposal and directed the minister concerned to look into this matter.
Apart from working together in political, strategic and ensuring global peace, King Salman said both the countries could also work together in boosting trade and commerce and people-to-people contacts.
The Foreign Secretary said that the Saudi King was very happy since Bangladesh joined the Islamic Alliance against terrorism and violent extremism.
Hasina at the meeting extended an invitation to the Saudi King to visit Bangladesh. In response, King Salman said, Im keen to visit Bangladesh.
