The Saudi government has agreed to Bangladesh's proposal to send Hajj pilgrims by sea.
The decision was announced by Saudi Arabia's Minister for Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Tawfiq Bin Fawzan al-Rabiah, during a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh's Religious Affairs Adviser, AFM Khalid Hossain, in Jeddah on Sunday (October 6).
Bangladesh's proposal to transport Hajj pilgrims via the sea route has been approved by Saudi Arabia, pending discussions with port authorities.
In a press release from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, it was said that while the Saudi minister expressed no objection to the plan, he emphasised the need for coordination with port authorities to ensure its implementation.
The Bangladeshi government is planning to send two to three thousand pilgrims by ship on an experimental basis this year, and talks with shipping companies are underway to facilitate the initiative.
During the meeting, the Saudi minister also assured the upgrade of the biometric system for Hajj pilgrims. He addressed concerns regarding Munajjem (multiple) visas for Hajj agency owners or their representatives and promised to take necessary measures related to the loss of pilgrims' luggage under the Route to Makkah program in 2023 and 2024.
Additionally, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set a quota requiring agencies to send at least two thousand pilgrims. In response, the Bangladeshi Religious Adviser requested the quota be revised to 250 people per agency from 2024 onwards. The Saudi minister assured that the matter would be considered.
The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Hajj, Hassan Al Manakhera, and Director General Badr Al Selami. Representatives from the Bangladesh Embassy and Consulate in Riyadh and Jeddah were also present, including religious affairs secretary MA Hamid Jamaddar, Additional Secretary of the Hajj Division Motiul Islam, Charge d'Affaires Brigadier Rakibullah, and Hajj Consul Muhammad Aslam Uddin.