A total of 606 people could not fly to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year for various reasons, including illness, death and negligence of hajj agencies, said Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman on Wednesday.
“The government has nothing to do in this regard, but the agencies that are involved in irregularities will have to face the music,” he told a press briefing at Hajj Camp in the city’s Ashkona area.
A total of 1,21,868 intending hajj pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia, said the minister adding, “The rest of the intending pilgrims will reach Saudi Arabia on August 17.”
A number of complaints have been received against some agencies and action will be taken against them after the hajj, he said. The last flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines will leave for Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, while that of the Saudi Airlines on August 17, Motiur Rahman said.A total of 1,26,798 pilgrims will perform Hajj this year. Of them, 6,798 under government management and the rest 12,00,000 under private management.
Apart from the government, 528 private hajj agencies have been allowed to send pilgrims to perform hajj this year.
The first hajj flight left Dhaka on July 14 while the return hajj flights are scheduled to begin on August 27 and will continue till September 25. This year’s Hajj will be held on August 20.
