JS Speaker, Saudi ambassador reflect on fraternal ties

Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Jafar bin Abiyah have discussed the fraternal ties the two countries enjoy across multiple areas.
The discussion took place when the Saudi envoy paid a courtesy call on the Speaker at his office in the Sangsad Bhaban in the capital on Monday, said a press release.
Speaker Hafiz noted that a large number of Bangladeshi pilgrims travel to Makkah and Madinah every year to perform Hajj. He said the shared religious bond further strengthens mutual respect and long-term bilateral friendship between the peoples of the two countries.
The Speaker also said Bangladesh’s democratic progress has been upheld through the Jatiya Sangsad election held in February 2026. He remarked that the democratic rights of the people had been undermined during the past 16 years of elections under the previous Awami League government.
Both sides exchanged views on enhancing inter-parliamentary relations and discussed the formation of a parliamentary friendship group between the two countries. They also discussed the ongoing Middle East crisis.
The Speaker urged the Saudi ambassador to play an effective role through the OIC in resolving the Rohingya crisis.
Members of the Saudi embassy delegation and senior officials of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat were present at the meeting.