President arrives in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj

President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Friday afternoon arrived at Jeddah of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on a 10-day visit to perform the holy Hajj as the Royal guest of the Saudi government, reports BSS.

A VVIP aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Flight No: BG 331), carrying the President along with his spouse Dr Rebecca Sultana and entourage members landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), also known as Jeddah International Airport at about 6 pm (KSA time).

On his arrival at Jeddah airport, Mohammed Shahabuddin was received by Deputy Governor of Makkah Region Prince Badr bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Bangladesh ambassador to KSA Dr. Mohammad Javed Patwary and embassy officials.

From there, the President as Royal guest was driven to the place of residence at Safa Royal Palace in the Holy Makkah, where he is scheduled to perform his Hajj as pilgrim along with his wife and other entourage members.

Apart from president's family members, Prime Minister's Private and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Bangabhaban Secretaries and important senior officials concerned are accompanying the President there.

In the aircraft, the President also visited Hajj Kafela and enquired about the wellbeings of the Hajj pilgrims and his other entourage members.

Earlier, the Head of the State left the Hazrat Shahjalal (R) Internal Airport (HISA) at about 2.30 pm (BST).

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, dean of diplomatic corps, ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to Bangladesh, Chief of Naval Staff, Air Chief, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Foreign Secretary, Home Ministry's Public Safety Division Secretary, Representative of Army Chief and other civil and military high officials concerned saw him off at the VVIP Lounge of the airport.

After forming the all Hajj procedures, President Shahabuddin will move to Madinah for visiting (Ziarat) the Mazar of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) on July 1.

Wrapping up his 10-day visit to the KSA for performing Hajj and Ziarat, the President is scheduled to leave the Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madinah, for Dhaka on July 2 by a VVIP aircraft of Biman Bangladesh Airlines (Flight No: BG 338).