Hajj 2007

Many lived in such a condition but they feel too shy and embarrassed to reveal it to their loved ones.

I happen to see the accommodations and facilities provided to other Hajis from India, Pakistan or other nationals, far more organised and managed. Renting the houses for Hajis is an annual big event for those who remain close to the Hajj management. This is public knowledge, many stories were run in the newspapers back home every year.

However, this year's fiasco is amazing, the private hajj operators, despite the ban, rented the rejected houses, understandably with a low price. But matching rent seeking, greedy and unethical business practices, these poor helpless Al-Rahman's (God) guests are not spared also. Unaware of the new policies, since a building collapsed last year, run down houses that they rented were in the list of demolition and unable to get clearance from the authorities.

More than forty thousand aspirants, I would think they have already taken the money, are left to complete uncertainty. More than hundreds of flying hours, thousands of seats in the chartered planes have already been cancelled. Those who will make it no doubt much cost and frustration awaits them. What a loss, what a mess!

Interestingly enough, compatible with the inherent culture, smartly dressed HAB officials are blaming everything on the government.

Prophet Shoeb (Pbuh) descended and preached to a community who happen to be rich business people. But they followed foul practices, like giving less in their measures to make more profit. When they were told to follow the good practice in their business dealings they refused. Consequence of the business community is well known.

In our world neither we can preach nor we can say anything against and we all know that Prophet Shoeb will not appear again.

Every year thousands of Bangladeshis perform Hajj from home and abroad and this year is not an exception either. Unfortunately, this year the Saudi government has barred non-ballotee Hajjis from Bangladesh to perform Hajj on the ground of fitness certificates of houses to be used for Hajis' temporary residence in Mecca. This is heart-breaking news for many people who have decided to perform Hajj from Bangladesh in the independent category as their ultimate journey to Mecca has become uncertain. There are many people from abroad especially North America who are coming to Bangladesh to reunite with their family members to 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 leave which is arranged months ahead of departure will be wasted.

May I urge the present caretaker government of Bangladesh to take steps immediately to resolve this critical issue through diplomatic channel requesting the Saudi King to relax the fitness hurdle and reissue fitness certificates. We also urge the Saudi Hajj authorities to reconsider this matter and review conditions of all the houses rented for the Hajis of Bangladesh and reissue fitness certificates for those which are safe and acceptable.

We warmly acknowledge the friendly relationship existing between the two countries.
Mohammad Jamal, Canada