DHAKA, Aug 15, 2018 (BSS) – A total of 1,21,868 hajj pilgrims out of 1,26, 798 reached the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) till date to perform hajj this year while 192 others would reach by August 17.
Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman told at a press conference at the Ashkona Hajj Camp here, adding that some 606 hajj aspirants would not be able to perform Hajj due to negligence of hajj agencies, their illness and deaths.
The minister said as per the Hajj Agreement signed between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia on January 14, some 7,198 pilgrims would perform the hajj under government supervision while 1.20 lakh others under private allotment.
Issuing a note of warning against the corrupt individuals to be found involved in fake replacement and fake registration, Rahman said all Hajj agencies were kept under strict surveillance and stern action will be taken against them.
Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary Mohammad Anisur Rahman, Joint Secretary Dr Moazzzem Hossain, Director of Ashkona Hajj Camp Saiful Islam, Director of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahdot Hossain Taslim, among others, were present at the press conference.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the hajj flight operation on July 11. Beginning on July 14, the hajj flight will conclude on August 17.
The holy Hajj will be held on August 20. The return hajj flight will start on August 27 and will conclude on September 25.