75,000 pilgrims await Saudi decision

The holy Hajj is scheduled to be held on July 30 this year, subject to the sighting of the moon. As such, there are only 42 days left for Hajj. However, in the current Corona situation, the Saudi government has not yet decided on the participation of the world's interested pilgrims. As a result, about 75,000 registered pilgrims in Bangladesh are worried about whether there will be an opportunity to go for Hajj at all or whether the Hajj will be canceled. The same concerns apply to private Hajj agencies. However, the Ministry of Religion is ready to send the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia in accordance with the health rules. In such a situation, all parties concerned are waiting for the decision of Saudi.

Secretary of the Ministry of Religion. Nurul Islam told Kaler Kantha on Thursday, 'We are ready to send pilgrims for Hajj in accordance with the health rules. The Saudi government's decision has not yet been announced. We are waiting for their decision.

Maksudur Rahman, Bangladesh's councilor in Saudi Arabia, said on Wednesday night that the Saudi government had not yet made a formal decision on the Hajj. The Saudi Hajj Ministry did not comment on Reuters reports that it was considering canceling the Hajj. Everyone is waiting for the decision.

Saudi Arabia suspended permission for foreigners to perform Umrah on February 26 to avoid coronavirus infection. Later, entry into Saudi Arabia with a tourist visa and international flights were also announced to be closed indefinitely. For this reason, the Saudi government advised to wait until the situation is clear without finalizing the plan of Hajj.

However, Muslims around the world are hoping to have the opportunity to perform the Hajj again as Saudi Arabia's mosques, including the Kaaba and Masjid-e-Nawabi, are reopened after restrictions on the spread of coronavirus were lifted. The Ministry of Religion said the Saudi government's decision on June 15 could be known. As he did not come to a decision, 75,000 registered pilgrims were anxious.

Bangladesh Pilgrim Welfare Council President. "We, the agency owners, are also concerned," said Abdullah al-Nasser. Very little time on hand. But we have not decided yet. For better or worse, a decision is needed. '

M Shahadat Hossain Taslim, president of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAB), an organization of Hajj agency owners, said, "Although we are ready for the Hajj, Saudi Arabia has not yet made a decision on the Hajj."