Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and

the Saudi Raj

By Wasif Sattar
When Bangladesh became a free country, most Islamic nations held off recognition of
Bangladesh. Even after Pakistan established diplomatic relations with Bangladesh
many countries like Libya and Saudi Arabia did not extend recognition to Bangladesh.

I have just returned from a trip to Bangladesh where I picked up a copy of "Mujibeyr
Rokto Lal" by M.R. Akhtar Mukul (3rd Ed Sep 1992). He accompanied Bangabandhu
Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as a part of his entourage (in his official capacity as the
Director General of Bangladesh Betar) to the Non-Aligned Nations conference in Algiers
in late 1973. Mr. Mukul writes about a brief meeting between BB SMR and Saudi
monarch King Faisal. According to Mr. Mukul, this meeting had been engineered by the
ceaseless efforts of Barrister Amirul Islam.

Quote from Mr. Mukul's book (pp 39-41): [I have translated verbatim from the Bangla so
the English rendition may sound a bit awkward]. ... ... ... ... "The introduction was
prefaced by a formal hug and kisses. Next the two leaders sat next to each other on a
sofa. King Faisal’s interpreter sat on a nearby chair. On the sofa facing them sat
representatives of the two countries. After exchanging pleasantries about each other's
health, the conversation proceeded thus:

Faisal: Your Excellency, I have heard that Bangladesh is actually expecting some
assistance from us. But the question is, what kind of assistance are you looking
for? Of course we have some pre-conditions for providing any form of
assistance.

Mujib: Your Excellency, please forgive me for my brashness. I am the Prime

Minister of Bangladesh. But I don't think Bangladesh is begging for alms from
you.

Faisal: Then what is it that you are expecting to receive from the Kingdom of Saudi
Arabia?

Mujib: The pious Muslims of Bangladesh wish to claim their right to worship at
the site of the Holy Kaaba. Your Excellency, you tell me if there can be any
preconditions to that? You are great and the Bengali Muslims hold you in high
esteem. You are the custodian of the Holy Kaaba. Muslims from all over the world
have a right to worship there. Can there be any conditions for exercising that
right? Your Excellency we are looking forward to brotherly relations with you on
an equal basis.

Faisal: But this not a political discussion. Your Excellency, please tell me what is it that
you want from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Mujib: Your Excellency, you are aware that after Indonesia, Bangladesh is the country
with the second highest Muslim population. I wish to learn why Saudi Arabia has not
recognized the independent and sovereign nation of Bangladesh to this day.

Faisal: I do not have to answer to anybody expect the Most Merciful Allah. But since you
are a Muslim, I can tell you that in order to receive Saudi recognition, the name of
Bangladesh has to be changed to the "Islamic Republic of Bangladesh".

Mujib: This condition cannot be applied to Bangladesh. Whereas the overwhelming

majority of the population of Bangladesh is Muslim, we also have over 10 million non-
Muslims. All participated together in our fight for freedom or suffered its consequences.
Besides Almighty Allah is not only for the Muslims but He is the creator of the universe.
Your Excellency, please forgive me, but your country is not named the "Islamic
Republic of Saudi Arabia". This great country is named after one of the greatest
geniuses and politicians of the Arab world the late King Ibn Saud as the
"Kingdom of Saudi Arabia". None of us objected to this name.

Faisal: Your Excellency, besides this we have another condition which is the
release of all Pakistani POWs.

Mujib: Your Excellency, this is a bilateral matter between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
There are many other unresolved issues between the two countries. Among these are
the issues of the return of several hundred thousands of Pakistani citizens and the
proper distribution of assets to Bangladesh. These matters may take some time to be
settled. That's why the matter of unconditional release of Pakistan POWs cannot be
dealt with independently. Why is Saudi Arabia so concerned about this?

Faisal: Your Excellency please be informed that Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are
practically the one and the same. Pakistan is our closest friend. Then your
Excellency, there is nothing else to discuss between us. But please think over our
two conditions. One is the declaration of an Islamic republic and the other is the
unconditional release of all Pakistani prisoners of war.

Mujib: Your Excellency, I would appreciate if you explain one thing to me.

Faisal: Your Excellency, please tell me what it is.

Mujib: Due to the non-recognition of Bangladesh by Saudi Arabia for almost two
years, the pious Muslims of Bangladesh are not able to perform the Hajj. Has your
Excellency given thought to this? Is it fair to create such a barrier? Muslims from
all over the world have a right to worship at the Holy Kaaba. Then why has this
barrier been created? Why do thousands of faithful Bengali Muslims have to
travel on Indian passports to perform Hajj?
The meeting abruptly ended at this point but Mujib managed to utter one of the
favorite quotes of his one-time mentor Maulana Bhashani - "La Kum Din Ukum
Wal Ya Din (For you your religion, for me my religion)" before parting. ... ... ... ...

Things have changed a lot in the last 22 years. Although Bangladeshi Muslims are
treated as second-class Muslims (right next to Muslims from the rest of the
subcontinent) in Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh is still considered to be one of the most
favored nations by Saudi Arabia. This is evident from the fact that we are the largest
recipient of Saudi aid. There are anywhere from 400,000 to 750,000 Bangladeshis
working in Saudi Arabia.

Riyadh and Jeddah serve as a transfer point for Bangladeshi garment exports. Many
facilities (landing rights, parking fees, etc.) are extended to Bangladeshi passenger and
cargo flights at little or no cost. In spite of the above, I find it difficult to accept the fact
that Saudi Arabia took over 3 and a half years to recognize Bangladesh.
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The essay was originally published in News from Bangladesh on19th October, 1998