Every year thousands of Bangladeshis perform Hajj and this year is not an exception either. Unfortunately this year Saudi government has barred non-ballotee Hajjis from Bangladesh from performing Hajj on the ground of fitness certificates of houses to be used for Hajjis' temporary residence in Mecca. This is heart breaking news for many people who have decided to perform Hajj from Bangladesh on independent category. There are many people abroad especially North America who are coming to Bangladesh to reunite with their family members and perform Hajj together. These people fall in the second category i.e. non-ballotee pilgrims and similarly their Hajj has become uncertain too. It will not only be a financial punishment for these people as their entire trip to Bangladesh will be futile but also their valuable leaves which are arranged months ahead of departure will be wasted.May I urge the present caretaker government of Bangladesh take steps immediately to resolve this critical issue through diplomatic channel requesting the Saudi authorities to relax the fitness hurdle and reissue fitness certificates. We also urge Saudi Hajj authority to reconsider this matter and review conditions of all the houses rented for the Hajjis of Bangladesh and reissue fitness certificates for those which are safe and at acceptable level rather putting a cap on all the houses. We greatly acknowledge brotherhood and durable friendly relationship existing between these two countries.
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