House rentals, transportation of over 6,500 hajj pilgrims yet to be finalised , Visa issues loom

House rentals and transportation agreements for 6,592 intending hajj pilgrims have yet to be finalised for this year’s Hajj which may create complications in visa issuance.

According to a report from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Hajj management, as of Thursday morning, four lead agencies have not been included in the Nusuk Masa platform.

These four agencies are responsible for coordinating 45 other agencies.

Among these, 5,842 pilgrims have not yet secured house rentals in Makkah and Madinah under these agencies.

Besides, 750 pilgrims have not been included in the Nusuk platform as of the latest update.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus was briefed about the latest progress on Hajj arrangements today at the Chief Adviser’s office.

The ministry sources said the final deadline for issuing visas is April 18 but accommodation arrangements of many Hajj pilgrims, registered both under government and private management, have yet been finalised.

In light of the current situation Religious Affairs Adviser Khalid Hossain warned of legal action including the cancellation of licenses for four agencies responsible for the delays.

The report also revealed that unlike previous years, the Saudi government has halted the online system for tracking accommodation arrangements which was previously accessible to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.This year, a new system has been implemented through Saudi companies.

The ministry’s Jeddah Hajj Office Counsellor Zahirul Islam had repeatedly contacted the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah’s Director General to request the reinstatement of the online platform.

However, despite a virtual meeting last Tuesday with Saudi authorities, the system has not been re-established.

Many Hajj agencies are reportedly delaying accommodation arrangements in search of cheaper options.

At a press conference earlier this week, the religious affairs adviser expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding accommodation for 10,487 intending pilgrims.

He said Nusuk platform has yet to include information for 2,193 pilgrims.

Talking to UNB, Khalid Hossain said the Ministry of Religious Affairs would not take responsibility for any pilgrim unable to perform Hajj due to negligence or failure of any agency.

He said he warned that agencies found responsible for such negligence would face severe consequences including the cancellation of their licenses and criminal charges.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has been consistently urging Hajj agencies to submit house rental requests through the online platform, said the adviser.

“Agencies that have failed to finalise accommodation agreements have been issued show-cause notices,” he said.

Khalid said they urged all agencies to complete their Hajj preparations within the time frame specified by the Saudi government to ensure the smooth journey of pilgrims.

Until the accommodation requests are approved through the online system, concerns over visa and travel delays persist, he said.

Hajj is expected begin on June 5 depending on moon sightings. This year, 87,100 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to perform Hajj, including 5,200 through the government scheme and 81,900 through private arrangements.

Hajj flights will commence on April 29, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.