missing Monday�s hajj flights

419 pilgrims get Saudi visas

Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims, who missed the flight as problems arose over getting visas from the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Dhaka, was scheduled to take a plane from the capital Friday night. The technical snag in the visa procedure has been solved, said officials of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A total of 419 pilgrims could not fly to Saudi Arabia on Monday, as the embassy failed to grant them visas in time. The 419 pilgrims will now be able to perform Hajj as their visa problem is over, the officials said. Visas of over 30,000 pilgrims have been confirmed by the Saudi Embassy and the rest will be done gradually.  Over 3,000 pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia as the Hajj flights started on Sunday, said an official at the Haji camp at Ashkona where pilgrims have been put up. Pilgrims blamed Bangladeshi Hajj officials for the delay in visa confirmation. Ibrahim Bahar, president of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (Haab), said the problem arose due to a technical snag, especially in photographs. He assured pilgrims that no one will miss a flight again for visa complications.  The Saudi authorities have fixed a quota of 1,01,750 Bangladeshi pilgrims this year. Of them, 2,700 will perform Hajj under government arrangements and the rest under private management, said officials. Hajj flights will continue till September 17. The return flight will start on September 28 and end on October 28. Hajj agencies deprived of quota demonstrated by forming a human chain in front of the Ashkona Haji camp  yesterday (Friday) morning. They were demanding action against the religious affairs minister, secretary of the ministry and the Hajj Directorate alleging corruption and human trafficking.

missing Monday�s hajj flights

419 pilgrims get Saudi visas

Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims, who missed the flight as problems arose over getting visas from the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Dhaka, was scheduled to take a plane from the capital Friday night. The technical snag in the visa procedure has been solved, said officials of the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A total of 419 pilgrims could not fly to Saudi Arabia on Monday, as the embassy failed to grant them visas in time. The 419 pilgrims will now be able to perform Hajj as their visa problem is over, the officials said. Visas of over 30,000 pilgrims have been confirmed by the Saudi Embassy and the rest will be done gradually. Over 3,000 pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia as the Hajj flights started on Sunday, said an official at the Haji camp at Ashkona where pilgrims have been put up. Pilgrims blamed Bangladeshi Hajj officials for the delay in visa confirmation. Ibrahim Bahar, president of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (Haab), said the problem arose due to a technical snag, especially in photographs. He assured pilgrims that no one will miss a flight again for visa complications. The Saudi authorities have fixed a quota of 1,01,750 Bangladeshi pilgrims this year. Of them, 2,700 will perform Hajj under government arrangements and the rest under private management, said officials. Hajj flights will continue till September 17. The return flight will start on September 28 and end on October 28. Hajj agencies deprived of quota demonstrated by forming a human chain in front of the Ashkona Haji camp yesterday (Friday) morning. They were demanding action against the religious affairs minister, secretary of the ministry and the Hajj Directorate alleging corruption and human trafficking.