State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam stated on Monday that Bangladesh would provide necessary assistance to Saudi Arabia if the holy cities of Mecca and Medina faced any security threat amidst the ongoing regional conflict.
"If any threat emerges against Mecca or Medina, Bangladesh will certainly not remain indifferent. We will extend a helping hand to protect the two holy cities," she told journalists.
The state minister made the remarks following a seminar titled "Foreign Policy of Bangladesh: Navigating Pathways in a Shifting World," which was organised in Dhaka by the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS).
Responding to a question regarding Bangladesh's willingness to assist Saudi Arabia in safeguarding the two holy cities, Shama stated that the issue carried deep religious and emotional significance for Muslims worldwide.
"For Muslims, Mecca and Medina are not merely matters of diplomacy. They are also deeply connected to our emotions and religious sentiments," she said.
She continued that Bangladesh, as a Muslim-majority country, shared the concerns of Muslims across the world regarding the security of the two holy cities.
The state minister, however, clarified that Bangladesh had not yet formally joined the proposed Mecca Pact.
"We have not yet joined the Mecca Pact. A decision can be considered final only when the process is formally completed," she said.
Responding to a question regarding the possibility of sending Bangladeshi troops to Saudi Arabia under the proposed arrangement, Shama stated that the issue did not arise at present.
"Since Bangladesh has not joined the Mecca Pact, the question of sending troops under that arrangement does not arise at this moment," she said.
Her remarks came against the backdrop of repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes targeting Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.
Bangladesh has strongly condemned the attacks on Saudi civilian infrastructure and expressed solidarity with the Saudi government and people.
Shama stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had also sent a letter to the Saudi crown prince conveying Bangladesh's position.
"We want an immediate end to these attacks. We stand beside the people and government of Saudi Arabia," she said.
The state minister reiterated Bangladesh's call for an end to hostilities, stating that the continued violence was claiming innocent lives and threatening regional stability.
The BIISS seminar featured presentations by Ayesha Binte Towhid on national interest-driven foreign policy, Dr Mahfuz Kabir on economic priorities, ASM Tarek Hassan Semul on defence and security, and Dr Sufia Khanom on ideological interests in foreign policy.
BIISS Director General Major General ASM Ridwanur Rahman delivered the welcome address and chaired the session.
Why it matters
Bangladesh's pledge to assist Saudi Arabia in protecting Islam's holiest sites underscores its diplomatic alignment with Muslim-majority nations amid regional conflict.