RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj blacklisted 31 agencies of Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet for human trafficking in the name of umrah visa.

Following the irregularities, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has stopped issuing umrah visas to Bangladeshis for the past one month. The resumption of issuing umrah visa is uncertain.

Concerned are feared that the blacklist issue can create complications in issuance of the hajj visa for Bangladeshis during next hajj season.

According to sources, more than one thousand Bangladeshis, who went to Saudi Arabia with umrah visa, started living there illegally. The Saudi government can not mark them as they are run away.

A significant number of Bangladeshis did not back home after going to perform umrah, compelling the Saudi government to stop issuing umrah visas fully from March 22.

According to information received from the Saudi hajj ministry, 31 hajj agencies in Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet are involved in human trafficking to Saudi Arabia with umrah visas.

A large part of them, who went to Saudi Arabia to perform umrah in the last four months through these agencies, did not return home. Noticing the matter, the Saudi government immediately blacklisted Bangladesh.

However, the umrah passengers from Bangladesh were sent to KSA by abiding the new rule of Saudi foreign ministry.

According to the rules, people, who want to go to KSA with umrah visa, have to remain under control of the agent or the company. Every month, the accurate calculation is asked to submit to the Saudi government.

Sources said some 40,000 to 50,000 Bangladeshis went to Saudi Arabia to perform umrah from December last year to March this year. Their visas were expired between 14 and 28 days.

Most of the pilgrims have returned home but from 4 to 5 percent have escaped and stayed in KSA illegally. The number of illegal migrants would be 1,500.

Leaders of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) said the Saudi government usually ignores one percent illegal migrants from umrah visa. But a noticeable percentage of umrah pilgrims have stayed there illegally that pushed Bangladesh to be blacklisted.

HAAB leaders said the Saudi authorities may withdraw the umrah visa ban after bringing back all illegal umrah passengers. But it is very difficult.

The Saudi government has already asked the immigration department to submit the list. It will not be solved quickly. So, more worries are waiting in the coming month of Ramadan, they opined.

HAAB leaders said about 20,000 people go to KSA to perform umrah from Bangladesh only in the month of Ramadan, considering it as umrah season. But Bangladesh is not getting any umrah visa this year.

Blacklisted Bangladeshi agencies:

Bangladeshi agencies blacklisted by the Saudi government are Al Amanat Travels (400 people went to Saudi to perform Umrah, returned 60) in Chittagong, Al-Fatiha Travels (157-83) High Links Travels International (343-338) of Dhaka, Communication Tours and Travels (328-295) of Chittagong, Dhaka’s Insaf Travels and Tours (299-206), Messrs SH Travels International (313-78), Ababil Travels and Tours (308-210) and Mini Travels and Tours (323-187) Razan Overseas (131-83 ).

Al-Amin Aviation (303-86), Hanah Travels and Tours (386-52), Sonia Travels (197-88), SH Travels International (382-86), Sadman Air Service (367-41), Saudi-Bangla Hajj Service (319-189), Air Cox International (381-157), BMS Travels (374-12), Central Travels (278-145), Gulf Travels and Tours (222-145) and Chittagong’s Rahat Travels and Tours ( 308-41) are also in the list.

SB Agha & Co. (270-223), Dhaka’s Trishan Overseas (260-61), Chittagong’s Nissan Overseas (400-53), Masud Travels and Tours (399-0), Sylhet’s Rabbani Overseas (322-21), Dhaka’s Travels Sky Connection (336-216), Green Hajj Travels (382-12), Swapnapuri International (110-23) Good Joy Travels and Tours (397-46), Arif Tours and Travels (180-12) and Sylhet’s Rabbani Overseas-II (396-220) are also included in the list.

BDST: 1605 HRS, MAY 03, 2015
RS/RR