Coronavirus might affect Mujib Borsho celebration: foreign minister

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said that the outbreak of coronavirus might affect foreign guests' presence at Mujib Borsho celebration.

He made this remark while talking to journalists at Osmani International Airport after his arrival in Sylhet to attend several programmes.

"Coronavirus has created global panic and it might affect foreign guests' presence at Mujib Borsho celebration," he said.

The minister also said, "No foreign guest has yet cancelled their tour plan to attend the Mujib Borsho programmes due to the outbreak of coronavirus. However, one foreign guest cancelled for other reason."

"We are maintaining utmost caution and believe that everyone will attend this celebration," the foreign minister, also MP of Sylhet-1 constituency, said.

Mujib Borsho -- marking birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman -- celebration will begin on March 17.

As per the spokespersons of the government, world leaders and eminent personalities will visit Bangladesh to attend various programmes to be held marking Mujib Borsho.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Indian National Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and others are on the guest list.

In addition to that, all Bangladeshi missions will hold various programmes abroad. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) will also be celebrating the year along with Bangladesh.