1,27,198 Bangladeshis to perform Hajj this year: Minister

A total of 1,27,198 people will perform Hajj from Bangladesh this year, Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman said today.

Of them 7,198 pilgrims will perform hajj under government management while the rest under private management. Bangladesh Biman and Saudi Arabian Airlines will carry 50 percent of hajj pilgrims respectively, said the minister.

The minister came up with the information at a press briefing at the secretariat.

A deal in this regard was signed between the governments of Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh at Al Mukarram in Makkah city of Saudi Arabia, he said.

Motiur Rahman was present there on behalf of the Bangladesh government and Dr Mohammad Saleh Bin Taher Bentan, Saudi Omrah and Hajj affairs minister, on behalf of Saudi Arabia.

He requested the private hajj agencies to be more careful and dutiful to hajj pilgrims.

The minister also warned that any type of irregularities and fraudulence by private hajj agencies would not be tolerated.

Motiur Rahman said that the ministry also has taken steps to prevent disorder in Biman's hajj flight.

Replying to query, the minister also said that investigation is being carried out against the irregularities of private hajj agencies.