NEWS reports said at least 419 pilgrims under government arrangement appear to be failing to go to Saudi Arabia to perform hajj after failing to obtain e-visas. To make things worse, around 21,000 hajj pilgrims are yet to get e-visas. If the pilgrims can’t get visa in time their flight schedule need to be changed only to buy tickets at double the cost, Religious Ministry sources have already warned. On the other hand, if they don’t get visa at all, which may not be however the case, everything will be in a total mess. The Saudi government has introduced e-visa for the first time this year as it has created big problems for hajj pilgrims, particularly from Bangladesh. Many of them don’t understand the system while others find it cumbersome to follow on printed visa sheets. Even hajj operators are confused. Officials of the Ashkona Hajj Office blamed server problems in the Saudi Embassy for delay. Moreover, the fraudulent practice of many dishonest hajj operators and agencies are highly disappointing to the Saudi government and the visa processing is not free from suspicion and such other harassment. The big problem affecting many pilgrims is that the issuance of e-visa for wives, husbands, or their relatives who intend to fly together is now coming in separate package and it means they would have to fly also separately. Reports said our Religious Ministry has already sent a letter to the Saudi Embassy for prompt issuing of visas but the cooperation is not at the desired level. It appears that the entire hajj flight schedule could collapse. Moreover, many pilgrims who have made arrangements with private hajj agencies are now facing problem resulting from fake registration. Many government officials engaged with the hajj registration process and dishonest owners of hajj agencies are responsible for false registration of up to 20,000 hajj pilgrims and it is not yet clear how this crisis would be sorted out within the stipulated time.It is a known fact that pilgrims preparations include hiring of houses and arranging transports. Failing to start as per schedule may thus bring setback at every step. What is worse is that the Saudi Embassy is not doing enough to facilitate hassle free travels and in the view of many it is not desired at all. As we see time is passing out quickly and it is advisable that the government must take up the issue seriously with the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka to get all e-visas without delay.
