Mecca Pact: Saudi Arabia and Turkey positive about Bangladesh

 

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir has confirmed ongoing discussions with Saudi Arabia and Turkey about Bangladesh joining the Mecca Pact. Both countries reportedly hold a positive view of Bangladesh’s potential inclusion, and the government perceives no risks in becoming part of the pact.

Humaiun Kobir shared these updates while answering journalists’ questions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday. He recently attended an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud and Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklıkaya. During these meetings, both officials expressed favorable attitudes toward Bangladesh’s involvement.

When asked about weighing the benefits and risks before joining, Kobir highlighted Bangladesh’s strong global reputation and extensive experience in United Nations peacekeeping operations. He emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia’s role as custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and a fraternal Muslim nation in the pact, viewing the initiative positively in the context of addressing Islamic world challenges.

Kobir assured that once a formal invitation arrives, the government will make it public. He dismissed concerns about potential security risks, calling the agreement a unique opportunity rather than a threat. “What is the point of dwelling on death before living? If we worry about dying before we even live, that becomes the problem,” he said.

In response to a question about his citizenship, Humaiun Kobir simply stated, “I am a Bangladeshi.”