Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday said there is no reason for other countries or communities to be concerned if the Saudi Arabia-Türkiye-Pakistan “Makkah Pact” is expanded, describing it as a mechanism for the self-defense of the global Muslim community and an internal matter among Muslim countries.
“There is no reason for others to have any concern over it,” he said while replying to a supplementary question from independent lawmaker Rumeen Farhana in parliament on Thursday regarding the possible benefits for Bangladesh if it joins the pact.
The foreign minister said Bangladesh’s possible participation in the arrangement is not an issue at this stage, as the matter would depend primarily on the intentions of the countries currently involved in the pact.
“If they express an intention to invite Bangladesh to join this pact, we will certainly have to consider the matter,” he said.
He added that it would be premature to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of Bangladesh joining the arrangement before any such invitation is made.
“We will certainly keep all these matters under consideration,” the minister said.
The foreign minister said the pact was signed by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on August 7, 2026 while the three countries’ initiative was being viewed positively by Bangladesh.
However, he stressed that any decision regarding Bangladesh’s participation would depend on whether the existing members wished to invite Bangladesh to join.
The foreign minister also said that, if expanded, the pact should be understood in the context of collective self-defense among Muslim countries.
He described it as an internal matter of the Muslim community and said there should be no cause for concern among others over such an arrangement.
Replying to another supplementary question from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami lawmaker Mir Ahmad Binquasem, the foreign minister also said Bangladesh would use its presidency of the United Nations General Assembly to serve all 193 member states rather than pursue the interests of any particular country.
He said the UNGA presidency was a position representing all members of the world body.
“After winning the election, I said I would work as the President of all countries,” he said.
Citing an example with the Speaker’s role in parliament, he said, “Just as you are the Speaker of all members of parliament, I will serve as the president of the general assembly, which represents all UN member states.”
He stressed that there was very little scope for the UNGA President to work for the interests of a particular country.
“I request all of you to take this into consideration. Bangladesh will proudly discharge this responsibility for everyone,” he said.
Recalling Bangladesh’s campaign for the UNGA presidency, the foreign minister said the achievement was particularly significant because of the short time available for preparation.
He said when the prime minister nominated him for the position, only five countries had entered the contest.
He said Bangladesh’s Asian competitor had around 10 years to prepare for the contest, while he had only about 10 weeks.
“I told the prime minister that you have sent me on an impossible mission,” he recalled.
The prime minister, however, told him: “You will get it; together we will achieve it.”
The foreign minister credited the prime minister’s leadership and collective efforts for Bangladesh’s success and expressed his special gratitude to the prime minister.
He said the presidency of the UN General Assembly ultimately belonged to all 193 member states and Bangladesh would discharge the responsibility in a manner that reflected the interests of the wider international community.