Special Correspondent :
Around 80 per cent of Bangladeshi pilgrims intending to perform Hajj this year have yet to apply for a visa, with the application period slated to end on April 29.
Concerns have been raised by multiple sources regarding the feasibility of processing visa applications for such a large number of pilgrims within the remaining four days.
If the Saudi Embassy does not extend the application deadline, it could potentially create significant obstacles for aspiring Hajj pilgrims.
In response to the impending deadline, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has reached out to the Embassy of Saudi Arabia, requesting an extension of the Hajj visa application period.
This year, a total of 127,198 Bangladeshis have been allocated Hajj slots, mirroring last year’s quota, despite the unfulfilled quota in 2023. Of these, 78,895 pilgrims will perform Hajj under private management, with an additional 4,307 under government management. However, only 16,000 out of the 78,895 pilgrims under private management have applied for visas thus far, indicating a significant gap in the application process.
The anticipated date for the holy Eid-ul-Azha is June 16, contingent upon the sighting of the moon. Typically, Hajj flights commence one month before Eid. However, delays in visa processing and flight scheduling have caused uncertainty among pilgrims, as the final list of Hajj participants has not yet been received from relevant departments.
Complicating matters further, approximately 28,000 pilgrims are facing uncertainty regarding their accommodation arrangements in Muzdalifah, adding to the growing crisis as the Hajj date draws near.
Amidst these challenges, tensions have escalated between the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) and the Ministry of Religion, with each party deflecting blame onto the other. Resolving these issues swiftly is imperative to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj pilgrimage for all participants.
Secretary of the Religious Affairs Ministry, Md A Hamid Zamadder, highlighted the challenges faced by Hajj pilgrims registered under private management, revealing that many have yet to apply for visas due to difficulties in securing rented accommodations in Saudi Arabia.
He said, “ it is impractical to process visa applications for such a large number of pilgrims within the remaining four days, however we are hoping for an extension of the application period following appeals to the Saudi government and embassy.”
On the other hand, HAAB president M Shahadat Hossain Taslim accused the Ministry of Religious Affairs of negligence in facilitating visa acquisition for agency owners, alleging delays in fund disbursement.
He said, “ it is important by the agency owners to secure accommodations in Saudi Arabia to resolve the crisis as soon as possible.”
In response, Matiul Islam, Additional Secretary (Hajj) of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, refuted the allegations, stating, “The funds were disbursed in a timely manner.”
He clarified that agency owners are currently applying for mission visas to travel to Saudi Arabia to arrange accommodations, as Umrah visa issuance has been postponed by the Saudi government.
Islam noted that the visa process has been completed for pilgrims registered under government management. Despite scheduled Hajj flights commencing from May 9, some agencies have been accused of deliberately delaying the rental of accommodations in Saudi Arabia, despite receiving payments from Hajj pilgrims as per schedule.
According to sources, agency owners are not getting visas for renting Hajj pilgrims’ houses and house rent is not possible as money was not sent to IBN account for renting houses in Makkah-Madinah.
In the face of these challenges, this year’s Hajj management will face serious problem and concerned quarters apprehended that there is practically no initiative to overcome these crises.
During the announcement of the 2024 Hajj package in November last year, State Minister for Religion Faridul Haque Khan said that the issuance of visas for performing the holy Hajj will start from March 1 this year and visa applications can be made on April 29.
Earlier on April 15, Deputy Minister for International Cooperation Department of the Saudi government Dr Al Hasan Al Manakhara urged Bangladesh to complete hajj visa process by April 29.
