A total of 606 people could not fly to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year for various reasons, including illness, death and negligence of hajj agencies, said Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman yesterday.

“The government has nothing to do in this regard, but the agencies that are involved in irregularities will have to face the music,” he told a press briefing at Hajj Camp in the city’s Ashkona.

A number of complaints have been received against some agencies and action will be taken against them after the hajj, he said.

A total of 1,21,868 hajj aspirants have reached Saudi Arabia, said the minister, adding, “The rest of the pilgrims will reach Saudi Arabia on August 17.”

The last flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines will leave for Saudi Arabia today, while that of the Saudia Airlines will leave on August 17, Motiur Rahman said.

A total of 1,26,798 pilgrims from Bangladesh will perform hajj this year. Of them, 6,798 are traveling under government management and the rest are under private management.
Apart from the government, 528 private hajj agencies have been allowed to send pilgrims to perform hajj this year.

The first hajj flight left Dhaka on July 14, while the return hajj flights are scheduled to begin on August 27.

SOURCE : SAUDIGAZETTE