Hasina offers Asr prayers at Sheikh Zayed Mosque

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has offered Asr prayers at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque on the first day of her United Arab Emirates (UAE) visit that aims to strengthen bilateral ties.

She visited the grave of UAE founder Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyen and offered special prayers at the mosque Saturday.

Her Press Secretary AKM Shamim Chowdhury said the prime minister toured the mosque after offering prayers.

Hasina was greeted by the mosque's authorities. She later signed a visitor’s book kept there and the mosque authorities presented her with a souvenir.

The prime minister is in the UAE on a three-day visit. Several agreements, including security cooperation and transfer of convicts, are likely to be signed.

Bangladesh sees the visit as crucial as the UAE, Bangladesh's second largest manpower export destination, has restricted its market for Bangladeshi workers.

She will spend the first two days at Abu Dhabi and will go to Dubai and Ras al-Khaimah on the last day.

Hasina will meet Foreign Minister Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

She is also slated to attend a reception to be hosted by Bangladeshi community in Abu Dhabi on Sunday night.

The prime minister will fly to Dubai on Monday to meet Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai.

She will attend a luncheon hosted by Sheikh Saud Bin Aaqr Al Qasimi, ruler of Ras al-Khaimah (RAK), before leaving for Bangladesh.

Senior government officials said Bangladesh would try to lure in Gulf investors during the prime minister’s visit.