Non-resident Bangladeshis must travel via Bangladesh for Hajj: Ministry

Bangladeshis residing in other countries must travel for Hajj from their home country, the Government has announced.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs states that Bangladeshis have no opportunity to travel directly to Saudi Arabia as pilgrims from the countries where they reside or are staying.

A letter from the Ministry says that it is prohibited for a pilgrim registered under one country's Hajj quota to travel to Saudi Arabia from another country. This is stated in Article 14 of the mandatory Hajj-related instructions of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The Ministry states that some agencies are registering Bangladeshis residing abroad and taking them directly to Saudi Arabia from foreign countries. This is causing various problems in Hajj management.

The Ministry's letter mentions that sending pilgrims this way makes it impossible to provide 'pre-arrival' information, including flight details, in the Nusuk Masar system.

Furthermore, they cannot be medically screened or given meningitis and influenza vaccinations. It is not possible to issue health certificates regarding whether they suffer from incurable diseases or are capable of performing Hajj.

They are also not receiving Hajj training. In addition, the Ministry's letter states that various complications are arising in overall Hajj management, including vacant airline seats.

In the interest of proper Hajj management, Hajj agencies have been requested to arrange for registered pilgrims residing abroad to be sent to Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh to perform Hajj.

The Ministry has also issued a warning that failure to comply with this rule will make the concerned agency liable and accountable.