No increase in Hajj quota for Bangladesh in two years

Dhaka, Riyadh sign Hajj agreement

At least two lakh Bangladeshis would be able to perform Hajj after two years as the Saudi government has taken steps to construct several multi-storeyed buildings at Mina by then. Besides, the Bangladesh government has requested the Saudi government to REsolve cases against 37 Bangladeshi Hajj agencies soon so that the government here could take action against them. Bangladesh sought an increase in the Hajj quota this year on the basis of population in accordance with the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) rules adopted in 1987. But the Saudi government expressed its inability to do so in the next two years due to shortage of accommodation at Mina.

An agreement was signed on this year’s Hajj between the two governments in Saudi Arabia yesterday (Monday). Bangladesh’s religious affairs minister Principal Matior Rahman and Saudi Arabia’s Hajj and umrah minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments, religious affairs ministry secretary in-charge Anisur Rahman told The Independent over the phone from Saudi Arabia yesterday.

A five-member delegation, led by Matior Rahman, is now in Saudi Arabia. The team left the country on Thursday to sign the agreement.

“We had proposed to the Saudi government to increase the quota to 1.48 lakh as per the OIC resolution, but the Saudi Hajj ministry expressed its inability to do so,” he said.

About 1,27,198 Bangladeshis would be able to perform Hajj this year as per the agreement, he said in reply to a query.

“The Saudi Hajj ministry suggested that an official letter be sent on the proposal to increase the Hajj quota. At least two lakh Bangladeshis will be able to perform Hajj after two years, as the Saudi government would construct several multi-storeyed buildings at Mina by that time,” Rahman said.

The religious ministry secretary said the Saudi Hajj minister assured the Bangladesh team that they will increase the quota for Bangladeshi pilgrims after two years when the buildings are constructed.

The Saudi minister expressed regret for the delay in providing transport for Bangladeshi pilgrims, those who had to wait at the Jeddah airport for long last year.

“We also discussed about the 37 Bangladeshi Hajj agencies blacklisted by the Saudi government on various allegations. The Bangladesh government can take action against the agencies after the Saudi government’s decision is known. The Saudi Hajj minister assured us that they would solve it within the shortest possible time,” Rahman added.

The religious affairs ministry yesterday issued show-cause notices against 14 Hajj agencies that kept their pilgrims in government rented houses during last year’s Hajj. Such private Hajj agencies violated the Saudi law and tarnished the country’s image abroad, the show-cause notices said.

The houses in Saudi Arabia had been rented for pilgrims registered under the government arrangement. But the 14 Hajj agencies kept their pilgrims in those houses, numbering 1,2,3 and 5, in collusion with some hotel owners, breaching the Saudi law.

The agencies involved in the illegal process are Ziarat-e Kaba Tours and Travels, Messer’s Ahsan Travels International, Abdullah Hajj Kafela under Messer’s Ahsan Travels International, Al Ziarat International, Messer’s M Noor-e Madina Travels and Tours, Al Amanat Tours and Travels, Messer’s Zaman Enterprise, Sanjori Travels and Tours, Zaved Air International, Al Madina Hajj and Travels Service, Ibrahim Travels, Jenus Travels and Tours, KB Air International and Anas Travels and Tours.

The show-cause notices, signed by assistant secretary SM Maniruzzaman, asked the agency owners why legal action should not be taken against them for breaching the law. They were also asked to submit their reply within the next seven days before the religious affairs ministry.

The Bangladesh government had rented those houses till Muharram last year.

No increase in Hajj quota for Bangladesh in two years

Dhaka, Riyadh sign Hajj agreement

At least two lakh Bangladeshis would be able to perform Hajj after two years as the Saudi government has taken steps to construct several multi-storeyed buildings at Mina by then. Besides, the Bangladesh government has requested the Saudi government to REsolve cases against 37 Bangladeshi Hajj agencies soon so that the government here could take action against them. Bangladesh sought an increase in the Hajj quota this year on the basis of population in accordance with the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) rules adopted in 1987. But the Saudi government expressed its inability to do so in the next two years due to shortage of accommodation at Mina. An agreement was signed on this years Hajj between the two governments in Saudi Arabia yesterday (Monday). Bangladeshs religious affairs minister Principal Matior Rahman and Saudi Arabias Hajj and umrah minister Dr Mohammad Saleh bin Taher Benten signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments, religious affairs ministry secretary in-charge Anisur Rahman told The Independent over the phone from Saudi Arabia yesterday. A five-member delegation, led by Matior Rahman, is now in Saudi Arabia. The team left the country on Thursday to sign the agreement. We had proposed to the Saudi government to increase the quota to 1.48 lakh as per the OIC resolution, but the Saudi Hajj ministry expressed its inability to do so, he said. About 1,27,198 Bangladeshis would be able to perform Hajj this year as per the agreement, he said in reply to a query. The Saudi Hajj ministry suggested that an official letter be sent on the proposal to increase the Hajj quota. At least two lakh Bangladeshis will be able to perform Hajj after two years, as the Saudi government would construct several multi-storeyed buildings at Mina by that time, Rahman said. The religious ministry secretary said the Saudi Hajj minister assured the Bangladesh team that they will increase the quota for Bangladeshi pilgrims after two years when the buildings are constructed. The Saudi minister expressed regret for the delay in providing transport for Bangladeshi pilgrims, those who had to wait at the Jeddah airport for long last year. We also discussed about the 37 Bangladeshi Hajj agencies blacklisted by the Saudi government on various allegations. The Bangladesh government can take action against the agencies after the Saudi governments decision is known. The Saudi Hajj minister assured us that they would solve it within the shortest possible time, Rahman added. The religious affairs ministry yesterday issued show-cause notices against 14 Hajj agencies that kept their pilgrims in government rented houses during last years Hajj. Such private Hajj agencies violated the Saudi law and tarnished the countrys image abroad, the show-cause notices said. The houses in Saudi Arabia had been rented for pilgrims registered under the government arrangement. But the 14 Hajj agencies kept their pilgrims in those houses, numbering 1,2,3 and 5, in collusion with some hotel owners, breaching the Saudi law. The agencies involved in the illegal process are Ziarat-e Kaba Tours and Travels, Messers Ahsan Travels International, Abdullah Hajj Kafela under Messers Ahsan Travels International, Al Ziarat International, Messers M Noor-e Madina Travels and Tours, Al Amanat Tours and Travels, Messers Zaman Enterprise, Sanjori Travels and Tours, Zaved Air International, Al Madina Hajj and Travels Service, Ibrahim Travels, Jenus Travels and Tours, KB Air International and Anas Travels and Tours. The show-cause notices, signed by assistant secretary SM Maniruzzaman, asked the agency owners why legal action should not be taken against them for breaching the law. They were also asked to submit their reply within the next seven days before the religious affairs ministry. The Bangladesh government had rented those houses till Muharram last year.