Holiday Post-Dhaka, Monday, (7 October 2024). The Saudi Hajj and Umrah Affairs Minister said that the Saudi government has no objection to sending pilgrims from Bangladesh by sea to the religious advisor's proposal. However, there is a need to discuss with the port authorities. In this regard, the government of Bangladesh will also have to discuss with the shipping company and take a final decision.

The Religious adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh in the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. AFM Khalid Hossain and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Fawzan Al Rabia, the Saudi minister informed about this agreement in the bilateral meeting.

It should be noted that the Bangladesh government is thinking about sending two to three thousand pilgrims by ship on the experimental water route this year.

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Affairs assured to upgrade biometric system for pilgrims. He also assured the religious advisor regarding the issue of Munajjem (multiple) visas in favor of Haj agency owners or their representatives. Besides, the minister also assured the religious adviser to take necessary measures regarding the loss of some luggage of pilgrims in 2023 and 2024 under the Route to Makkah programme.

This year, the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set a quota of sending at least two thousand Hajj pilgrims to each agency.  In this regard, when the religious advisor requested to re-determine the quota of two hundred and fifty people per similar agency in 2024, the Saudi minister assured to consider the matter.

In this bilateral meeting, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister was assisted by the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Hajj. Hassan Al Manakhera and Badr Al Salami, Director General of the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

At that time, religious secretary Md. Hamid Jamaddar, additional secretary of Hajj department Md. Motiul Islam. Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh Charge the Affairs Brigadier Rakibullah, Consul General of Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah Miya Muhammad Moinul Kabir, Counselor of Jeddah Hajj Mission Zahirul Islam, Hajj Consul Muhammad Aslam Uddin etc. were present.