Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said Bangladesh joined the Saudi Arabia-led alliance against terrorism and violent extremism to express its stance against terrorism and extremism.
“Whatever initiative Saudi Arabia has taken in the whole Muslim world against terrorism and militancy, Bangladesh responded instantly to that call, and I think they’ve taken a very time-befitting step,” Hasina said.
The Prime Minister said this while addressing a press conference at her official residence Ganobhaban in the afternoon to brief the media about the outcomes of her recent visits to the three countries.
Responding to a question, she said the Muslims in Bangladesh consider Saudi Arabia in a different way as the two holy mosques are there alongside the Rowza Mobarak of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH).
She said, so far some 40 countries, including Bangladesh, have joined the alliance to expresses their stance against terrorism and extremism. “I’ve told the Saudi King that Bangladesh would always extend support to any kind of initiative to curb terrorism and militancy,” she said adding that for protecting the two holy mosques, Bangladesh is ready to provide any kind of support even military support.
“Bangladesh could now take a supportive stance in any field with any country and all would have to keep this in mind,” she added. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday said during her recent visits to Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria and Japan all the global leaders expressed surprise at Bangladesh’s fast economic growth.
“My visits to these countries-Bulgaria, Japan, Saudi Arabia-not only boosted the existing relationship of Bangladesh with them, but also everyone expressed surprise how Bangladesh has attained over 7 percent growth rate and fast economic development,” she said. Asked whether there was any specific development regarding sending manpower to Saudi Arabia, Hasina said there has been a big change in the Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations and it was visible as Saudi Arabia is now not only interested to recruit manpower from Bangladesh, but also interested to invest in the country. “I’ve also invited them to invest in Bangladesh and they’ll do so.” Hasina said a big qualitative change was visible this time as the Bangladeshi female workers willing to work as domestic helps could now take along with them their male family members to Saudi Arabia.
Regarding her tour to Saudi Arabia, Hasina said, “I believe through my visit, there’ll be dynamism in the relationship of Bangladesh with the Muslim world alongside establishing the brotherly relations of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on firm footing.” Referring to her meeting with the British Prime Minister David Cameron on the sidelines of the G7 outreach Programme in Japan, Sheikh Hasina said she had extended her support in principle to the British Prime Minister in his stance over the referendum on withdrawing membership of the UK from the European Union.
Besides, Hasina said, during her bilateral meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe reiterated Japan’s deep support towards her and her government, and hoped that this friendly relation would become more intense and dynamic in the days to come. Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Information Minister Hasanul Haque Inu, PM’s Media Adviser Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam were present at the dias. PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim conducted the press conference.
