Saudi agrees to carry Hajj pilgrims by sea

Saudi Arabia has given the green light to a proposal made by Bangladesh to send Hajj pilgrims to the kingdom by sea, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said.

The agreement came following a bilateral meeting between Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq Fawzan Al-Rabiah on Sunday, reports bdnews24.com.

The ministry’s spokesperson Abu Bakar Siddique said the Saudi government has no objection to carrying pilgrims from Bangladesh by sea route.

However, it requires discussions with the port authorities and the government will have to finalise the decision to this end in consultation with the shipping companies.

It is being planned to send 2,000-3,000 Hajj pilgrims by ship in 2025 on a trial basis, Bakar said.

Saudi Arabia had set a 2,000 pilgrim limit for each Hajj agency in Bangladesh this year. Rabiah assured to consider the advisor's request so that a similar arrangement could be made next year, he said.