Bangladesh has urged Saudi authorities to reconsider the 20 percent cut in quota of foreign Haj pilgrims and also to implement the electronic web portal service for Haj from this year to expedite various Haj processes.
Bangladesh Religious Affairs Minister Mohammed Mutiur Rahman discussed these two vital subjects with Saudi Haj Minister Dr. Bandar Al Hajar on Sunday when he met with him at his office in Jeddah, Mohammad Nazmul Islam, Bangladesh consul general said.
“We discussed a wide range of subjects related to improvement of Haj services to pilgrims, including introduction of the electronic web portal and also the need to restore actual quota” Islam said, adding that the Haj ministry had informed that the 20 percent reduction in quota would be applicable not only this year but also next year due to the expansion project at the grand mosque.
The Bangladesh delegation Rahman hailed the Saudi authorities’ efforts to ensure smooth Haj and for the concern and care for visiting Haj pilgrims. The Bangladesh government has expressed its thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah for taking up the expansion project that will facilitate more pilgrims besides making rituals easy to perform, the Haj ministry said.
A Haj ministry official said the quota for Bangladesh was 100,000, which both sides had signed.
The Bangladesh Haj delegation included Ambassador Islam, Secretary of Religious Affairs Ministry Kazi Habibul Awal, Joint secretary, Haj consul Asaduz Zaman and other senior officials.