Diplomatic Correspondent: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has invited 30 Bangladeshi nationals from diverse professional backgrounds to perform Umrah under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Umrah Programme.

The invitation reflects Saudi Arabia`s continued commitment to serving Muslims worldwide and facilitating their access to the holy sites in Makkah Al-Mukarramah and Madinah Al-Munawwarah.

A farewell gathering was held at the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka on Sunday, 4 October 2026 to extend the Kingdom`s best wishes to the selected Bangladeshi guests ahead of their sacred journey.

Addressing the gathering, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Jafar H. bin Abiyyah highlighted the significance of the programme and the longstanding fraternal relations between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

Mr. Abdullah Al-Harby, Chief of Consular Section and Mr. Yousuf Al-Ahmadi, Chief of Islamic Affairs, were also present at the event, among other embassy officials. Yasir Sheshah, Director of Political and Media Affairs, directed and moderated the whole programme.

The 30 invitees include people from a wide range of professions and backgrounds, including government officials, academics and Huffaz of the Holy Quran, among others.

Under the programme, the selected Bangladeshi guests will be hosted as honoured guests under the patronage of King Salman and will have the opportunity to perform Umrah and visit the Two Holy Mosques.

The programme also provides arrangements and services to facilitate the guests` pilgrimage and enable them to experience the spiritual significance of the holy sites in comfort and dignity.

The selection of the Bangladeshi nominees underscores the strong and longstanding friendship between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh, as well as the deep bonds of faith, mutual respect and brotherhood between the two peoples.

The King Salman Umrah Programme is one of Saudi Arabia`s initiatives to enable Muslims from different countries to perform Umrah and visit the Two Holy Mosques. It forms part of the Kingdom`s broader efforts to serve pilgrims and visitors and enhance their experience at the holy sites.

The Saudi government, through its relevant authorities, continues to attach high importance to the care and service of Umrah performers and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques in line with the directives of King Salman and Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

The invitation extended to the 30 Bangladeshis is also seen as another expression of the Kingdom`s enduring friendship with Bangladesh and its commitment to strengthening people-to-people, cultural and religious ties between the two brotherly countries.

At the farewell gathering, the Saudi Embassy conveyed its best wishes to the invited guests and prayed that Almighty Allah accepts their Umrah, grants them a safe journey and blesses their pilgrimage.