Special Correspondent :
Bangladeshi Hajj agencies find themselves in a challenging situation as they struggle to submit visa applications for over 60 percent of their registered pilgrims, with the deadline for visa applications already passed.
Moreover, many Munajjems, responsible for overseeing pilgrims’ accommodations, are facing difficulties entering Saudi Arabia due to visa issues, despite completing house rental procedures.
However, a senior official from the Ministry of Religious Affairs has indicated that the Saudi Government may extend the visa processing period, offering a glimmer of hope for those affected.
In the midst of these uncertainties, the announcement that flights for this year’s Hajj pilgrims will commence on May 9 adds urgency to resolving the visa impasse.
Despite concerns, both the Religious Affairs Ministry and the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) express confidence that the Saudi government will extend the visa deadline, thereby facilitate the smooth departure of Bangladeshi pilgrims.
As of the registration deadline on February 7, 2024, a total of 83,155 pilgrims have signed up for the Hajj pilgrimage from Bangladesh, including 4,260 opting for government travel packages and 78,895 for private travel packages.
