Expats won’t be affected by IS for Saudi coalition: Minister

Expatriates living in Middle East will not be affected by Islamic State (IS) because of Bangladesh’s allegiance to Saudi’s Islamic military coalition, commented Nurul Islam, minister for expatriates’ welfare and overseas employment.

“We are not concerned about IS. Bangladesh has decided to join the alliance as the county complies with the policy of Saudi Arabia,” the minister said this morning.

He was briefing media in the capital on the preparation of holding programmes on the occasion of International Migrants Day to be held tomorrow.

Asked, the minters said the role of Bangladesh in the coalition will be understood better after talks with Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi Arabia’s move drew mixed reactions and confusion over its role, even among its own members.

Comments from several signatory of the countries that signed up to the initiative appeared to reveal a lack of preparation by Riyadh, which approached partners with an invitation to join a coordination centre but then announced a military alliance.