Kamruzzaman Bablu :
The Saudi Arabian government has officially conveyed its decision to hold Hajj this year with very limited participation due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Foreign Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia told Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen that there would be no traditional Hajj this year due to coronavirus situation, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday.
The Saudi foreign minister phoned to Dr Momen on Monday to inform the decision of the Saudi Government.
Prince Faisal said that less than 1000 pilgrims will be allowed to perform Hajj this year.
He further said that just a few pilgrims from each Muslim country would be allowed to join the pilgrimmage, the foreign ministry said.
Bangladesh foreign minister termed the decision as ‘wise’ and thanked the Saudi Prince for his call.
Meanwhile, the country’s pilgrims who deposited money for the registration of Hajj this year will be able to take back their money if necessary, said the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday.
Ministry Secretary Nurul Islam confirmed the matter and said the registration money is safe?
Hajj pilgrims can take back registration money: Religious Ministry
The pilgrims who deposited money for the registration of Hajj this year will be able to take back their money if necessary, said the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Tuesday, UNB adds.
Ministry Secretary Nurul Islam confirmed the matter and said the registration money is safe.
“Money will be refunded to those who want to take it back and if anyone wants to transfer the money for next year’s Hajj, that is also possible,” he said.
There will be no problem about refunding the money as the ministry is monitoring the issue, he added.
According to the Religious Affairs Ministry, 63,594 Bangladeshis registered to go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year — 3,457 under government and 61,594 under non-government management.
The Hajj registration process was completed on April 30 after the extension of the deadline several times.
Earlier on February 24, the Cabinet approved the draft Hajj Package-2020, fixing the minimum cost for an intending pilgrim at Tk 3.15 lakh under package-3 managed by the government.
In March, the Saudi government directed to suspend all Hajj activities.
