United News of Bangladesh

Suwaidi Park in Riyadh overflowed with thousands of expatriate Bangladeshis as renowned artist Asif Akbar made his presence felt among the Bangladesh community and their friends from other participating countries, including the host - the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The atmosphere was electric—yet deeply emotional—as their beloved singer connected heart-to-heart with the very people who keep Bangladesh’s economy moving from miles away. Speaking with warmth and sincerity, Asif Akbar emphasised that the remittance fighters - the expatriate workers who sacrifice comfort, family time, and their personal dreams - deserve more than just appreciation. They deserve joy, he said. Bangladesh’s colourful heritage takes centre‐stage at Riyadh’s Global Harmony festival “Remittance fighters need entertainment to breathe, to stay human,” Asif said passionately. “Without moments of happiness with entertainment, people become hardened by the struggles they carry every day." Asif who sang a huge number of hit songs like ‘O Priya Tumi Kothai’ shed light on the silent battles these workers face abroad - loneliness, isolation, tireless labor, and the emotional burden of constantly giving while rarely receiving. Yet, despite the weight on their shoulders, they continue to send money home, build futures for their families, and strengthen the foundations of Bangladesh’s economy, he remembered. Asif described expatriate Bangladeshis as “the most patriotic sons and daughters of our nation.” He praised their unwavering dedication, calling them pillars of progress whose sacrifices often go unnoticed. “They work in foreign lands, far from loved ones, just to keep joy alive back home. But in doing so, they often lose their own moments of happiness,” Asif mentioned in between the conversation with the audience from the large stage. In Suwaidi Park, surrounded by the cheers and warmth of his compatriots, Asif reminded everyone that behind every remittance sent home lies a story of resilience, sacrifice and unspoken pain. And through music and togetherness, even for a brief moment, those burdens felt a little lighter, said the singer who sang for nearly two hours. With each song, expatriates Bangladeshis were seen singing together with their favourite singers. The Saudi Ministry of Media launched the second edition of the Global Harmony in cooperation with the General Entertainment Authority highlighting cultures of 14 countries, including Bangladesh. The ‘Bangladeshi Cultural’ segment began on November 11 and ended on Friday night (Riyadh time, November 14). Asif highly appreciated the Saudi government, Saudi Ministry of Media and everyone involved for hosting such a mega event. He also thanked the organisers for honoring the Bangladeshi expatriate community with an opportunity to enjoy a concert free of charge. Read more: Global Harmony: Bangladesh’s rich cultural heritage to shine in Riyadh The event, hosted by popular Bangladeshi actress Prarthana Fardin Dighi and Rabiul Haque Zaman, showcased the rich traditions, music, dance, and cuisine of Bangladesh as part of Saudi Arabia’s Global Harmony initiative. Thousands of expatriate Bangladeshis, along with some of their families, gathered to enjoy live performances and sing together, transforming the park into a sea of sounds and lights. For many, it was an emotional and pride-filled night, a moment to reconnect with their roots and share their culture with the wider Saudi community, celebrating unity, friendship, and the growing cultural ties between Bangladesh and the Kingdom. “This is absolutely amazing. We remain busy, struggling every day here to keep our families smiling back home. This event is refreshing and a chance to share joy with friends,” Rumel, a Bangladeshi expatriate who attended with his friends, told UNB. “I came here to host for the first time — a role I’ve never played before. It feels wonderful to be here, close to the Bangladeshi community. The audience is amazing. We are grateful to the Saudi authorities and the Ministry of Media,” Dighi told UNB. Sarry Shaaban, spokesperson for the Global Harmony committee, expressed his excitement at hosting one of the largest expatriate communities in Saudi Arabia as part of the initiative. “We are thrilled to have the Bangladeshi community join us. This event will help Saudi audiences learn more about Bangladesh and its culture,” he said. Other nations and regions to be featured in the event include Egypt (Nov. 15–17); the Levant (Nov. 18–20); Yemen (Nov. 21–28); Pakistan (Nov. 29–Dec. 1); Indonesia (Dec. 2–4); the Philippines (Dec. 5–8); Uganda (Dec. 9–10); Ethiopia (Dec. 11–13); and Sudan (Dec. 14–20). The Global Harmony initiative was first launched in October 2024 to celebrate the diversity of the Kingdom’s residents. Last year’s event celebrated the cultures of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Yemen, Syria, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and the Philippines. Last year’s event featured legendary Bangladeshi rock icon Nagar Baul James, DJ Sonica, and popular singers Habib Wahid, Porshi, and Beauty Khan — with James’s first-ever performance in Riyadh being a major highlight. The Global Harmony initiative continues to host a series of cultural weeks representing 14 countries over a span of 49 days. The programme is part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, reinforcing Riyadh’s position as a global hub for cultural and civilizational diversity. Read more: Saudi Arabia to allow 78,500 Bangladeshis for 2026 Hajj

The ‘Bangladesh Culture’ segment of the prestigious ‘Global Harmony 2’ initiative is set to begin on Tuesday afternoon (5:30 pm KSA time), showcasing the vibrant and diverse cultural heritage and lifestyle of Bangladesh. This high-profile event will highlight various aspects of the lives of Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia, offering visitors a colorful glimpse into the nation’s traditions, art, and customs. A diverse lineup of artistes, celebrities and influencers from Bangladesh, including renowned singer Asif Akbar and actress Dighi, will celebrate the country’s rich cultural identity through performances at Al-Suwaidi Park over the four-day event. Filled with lively performances, traditional music and dance and a taste of authentic Bangladeshi cuisine, the celebration promises to be a spectacular showcase of Bangladesh’s heritage. The artistes will present a series of cultural and theatrical performances reflecting the nation’s artistic excellence. Last year, the event featured iconic Bangladeshi rock legend Nagar Baul James, DJ Sonica and popular singers Habib Wahid, Porshi, and Beauty Khan — with James’s first-ever performance in Riyadh being a major highlight. Read more: Saudi Arabia to roll out digital deportation platform The Global Harmony Initiative continues to host a series of cultural weeks representing 14 countries over a span of 49 days. The programme is part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to promote intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding, strengthening Riyadh’s role as a global hub for cultural and civilisational diversity. The Saudi Ministry of Media concluded the Indian Cultural Week, another installment of the ‘Global Harmony 2’ initiative. The event attracted over 200,000 visitors and featured an array of artistic and cultural performances that reflected the deep-rooted ties between Saudi Arabia and India, while celebrating Riyadh’s growing cultural diversity. The Indian Cultural Week, an initiative under the Quality of Life Program supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, brought together more than 100 Indian artists who presented theatrical, artistic and heritage performances that highlighted India’s rich cultural identity. Interactive pavilions showcased traditional arts, crafts, cuisine, and customs from different regions of India, drawing significant attention from diplomats, cultural figures, and large crowds of citizens, residents and members of the Indian community. The week concluded with energetic artistic performances by Indian troupes, met with enthusiastic audience participation and applause, embodying the spirit of cultural exchange that the Kingdom seeks to foster. Read more: Saudi Arabia set to shorten Umrah visa validity