About 100,000 Bangladeshis will be arriving for this year’s Haj, according to Bangladesh’s new Consul General A.K.M. Shahidul Karim.
“Looking after the well-being of such a huge number of pilgrims and the welfare of 700,000 workers from my country residing in the Western Region of the Kingdom is quite a challenging task,” Karim said, adding that he would also be focusing on expanding the labor market for his countrymen.
He said he would deal with all the challenges facing the community. “My doors are open for all members of the community and consulate staff to come forward and discuss their problems and find solutions, he said.
Karim’s track record shows he is a very hardworking and committed foreign service officer from his country.
On the very first day in his office, he received briefings from various wings of the consulate. He inspected the office and exchanged views with service seekers.
He also held a general meeting with the consulate employees, where he promised to offer better services to the community, and sought full cooperation and commitment from them as well as the consulate staff.
Karim joined the Bangladesh Foreign Service in 1999 and served his country’s mission in Stockholm, Cairo and London in various capacities.
Karim, a career diplomat, was born in Sherpur, Bangladesh. A product of Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology (BUET), he obtained the Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering and electronics.
Later, he participated in specialized programs on foreign affairs and diplomacy at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Japanese language program at Kansai Khkuai Center in Japan, and an executive program on trade negotiation at Nayang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.
Karim, who is fluent in English, has elementary knowledge of Arabic, Japanese, Hindi and Urdu. He was assista nt secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka, 1999-2003; second/first secretary at Bangladesh Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, 2003-2005; first secretary/counselor, Bangladesh Embassy in Cairo, 2005-2009; director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka 2009-2011; and consular at Bangladesh High Commission, UK, from 2011 until his posting in Jeddah.
100,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims coming for Haj
100,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims coming for Haj
‘Masterpieces of Saudi Orchestra’ shine at Maraya in AlUla
- The concert on its opening night presented a seamless artistic journey, where orchestral works met Saudi musical identity
- It underlined the Music Commission’s aim to present Saudi artistry at a high professional level
RIYADH: The “Masterpieces of Saudi Orchestra” concert opened at Maraya Concert Hall in AlUla on Thursday under the patronage of the Kingdom’s Minister of Culture and Chairman of the board of the Music Commission Prince Bader bin Abdullah.
Organized by the Music Commission, the concert on its opening night presented a seamless artistic journey, where orchestral works met Saudi musical identity.
The Saudi National Orchestra and Choir, conducted by Maestro Hani Farhat, led audiences through carefully curated pieces reflecting heritage and modern creativity.
The repertoire combined traditional influences with orchestral scoring, offering listeners heritage-based compositions alongside recent arrangements.
Regional rhythms and layered musical textures were used to echo the Kingdom’s history, while pieces rooted in Saudi classical music tradition connected audiences with familiar cultural references in a fresh format.
The concert underlined the Music Commission’s aim to present Saudi artistry at a high professional level.
The series seeks to honor national heritage while encouraging contemporary artistic engagement, and its growing local and international presence was highlighted throughout the evening.
The program also featured a visual dimension led by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, which staged live performances of Saudi folk arts.
Audiences saw presentations of Samri, Dahha, Rafeihi, Yanbawi, Zair and Khabeeti, synchronized with the orchestra to create one integrated artistic experience.
These folk elements were arranged to complement the orchestral sound, reinforcing the richness and variety of Saudi cultural identity. The combination of music and movement aimed to show how traditional forms can engage with large-scale concert settings while retaining their historical character and community roots.
This performance is an extension of the series of successes achieved by the Saudi Orchestra’s masterpieces both locally and internationally, and reaffirms the Music Commission’s commitment to showcasing Saudi music in its finest form.
