Bangladesh–Saudi Arabia relations

Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia relations

Bangladesh
Saudi Arabia

Bangladesh–Saudi Arabia relations had a strained beginning but have grown into a strong relationship between the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Being a Muslim-majority state, Bangladesh attaches a special importance to its ties with Saudi Arabia, which is the birthplace of Muslim religion. Both nations are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Saudi Arabia hosts a large proportion of the global Bangladeshi diaspora.[1][2][3]

History

In 1971 Saudi Arabia opposed the Bangladesh Liberation war from Pakistan. Saudi Arabia supported the Pakistani regime and opposed calls for the independence of Bangladesh.

Establishment of diplomatic relations

Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh formally established diplomatic relations in 1975-76, after the Assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by mutinous officers in Bangladesh Army. The military regimes of Ziaur Rahman and Hussain Muhammad Ershad took steps to forge strong commercial and cultural ties with Saudi Arabia. Since the late 1980s, a large number of both skilled and unskilled Bangladeshi workers have moved to Saudi Arabia; the number of Bangladeshis living in Saudi Arabia today exceeds 2.5 million. A large number of Muslim religious students and clerics also regularly travel to Saudi Arabia for study and religious work. As one of the most populous Muslim countries, Bangladesh is a major source of Hajj pilgrims. Saudi Arabia has become a major source of financing and economic aid to Bangladesh.[4] On August 2014 Saudi Arabia banned Bangladeshi women from marrying Saudi nationals.[5][6]

References

  1. ↑ "Saudi Arabia widens its door for Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Saudi Arabia keen to expand relations with Bangladesh". Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha. 19 June 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Kingdom-Bangladesh meet will boost economic and trade ties". Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia". The Economist. Retrieved 3 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Saudi men can't marry women from Pakistan, Bangladesh..." Emirates 24|7. AFP. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "Saudi Arabia bans marriages to women from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Chad and Myanmar". Marilyn Stowe Blog. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
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