The first group of Bangladesh pilgrims will arrive at the Haj Terminal on Saturday from Dhaka, according to Bangladesh Ambassador Mohammed Shahidul Islam.
He spoke to Arab News on Tuesday following his meeting with Haj Minister Dr. Bandar Al-Hajjar in Jeddah earlier in the day.
Around 100,000 Bangladesh pilgrims are expected to perform Haj this year.
Consul General of Bangladesh in Jeddah Mohammed Nazmul Islam and Consul (Haj) Mohammed Asaduzzaman were also present during the discussions.
The ambassador thanked the Saudi government for its efficient organization of the Haj every year.
Islam said Biman and Saudi Arabian Airlines would transport Bangladeshi pilgrims this year. “There will be a total of 170 flights shared by the two airlines,” he said.
This year, 1,500 pilgrims would perform the annual pilgrimage under the management of their government.
Islam said a special administrative Haj delegation from the government would arrive in Jeddah before the first group of pilgrims from Dhaka.
This year, Haj would cost around Tk300,000 (about SR14,524) under government management, while it costs a minimum of Tk250,000 (about SR12,103) under private arrangements.
The package would cover travel, meals and accommodation in the holy cities. He said other pilgrims would travel through accredited Haj operators.
Private travel operators offer a variety of packages for pilgrims. Accommodation in star-rated hotels would cost pilgrims much more than the amount stipulated by the government, he added.
A medical team comprising 150 medics and paramedics will also arrive with the administrative delegation. “They will staff the country’s clinics in Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and at the Haj terminal.”
The consul general said that his mission would operate administrative offices in Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah to assist pilgrims. “We have hired a computer company to maintain a database of all pilgrims, so that they can be tracked easily by their relatives or friends,” Islam said.
Source: Arab News
BDST: 1212 HRS, SEP 04, 2013
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