Pilgrims’ immigration to be done in Dhaka, agreement signed

Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) today signed the ‘Road to Makkah Service Agreement’ which will ease visit of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims to the KSA.

“Under the ‘Road to Makkah Service Agreement’, Hajis (Pilgrims) would be able to complete their immigration formalities in Dhaka airport prior to their departure for Saudi Arabia,” Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said after signing the two separate agreements with his counterpart of Saudi Arabia at his ministry conference room.

He said that the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are excellent during this government and today we have signed the Route to Mecca service agreement for the greater interest of the people of both the countries including our hajj pilgrims.

Kamal said that earlier Bangladeshis had to wait in long queues for completing the immigration process to go to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj.

“But from now, the immigration process for Hajj pilgrims will be completed in Dhaka after signing the ‘Route to Makkah Agreement,” he said.

Apart from this, the government has also signed another agreement on Security Cooperation with the Saudi Arabian government to strengthen the existing security system.

Under the agreement, security cooperation includes capacity building, skills development activities will be strengthened, while members of the security forces to the two countries will visit and exchange views.

The home minister also held ministerial level meeting with the visiting Deputy Minister of Interior of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal led Bangladesh side, while Deputy Minister of Interior of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Nasser bin Abdulaziz Al Dawood led 11-member delegation of the Saudi Arabia.

Beginning of the meeting, Home Minister Asaduzzaman welcomed the Saudi Arabian minister. He recalled historical and friendly relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
Kamal expressed his hope that the friendly relations between the two countries would increase in the future.

In the meeting, both the ministers discussed security related issues, visa facilitation, capacity building of law enforcement agencies, resolution of Rohingya issue, mutual cooperation in human trafficking and drug control and facilitation of Hajj and Umrah procedures.

Replying to a question on Rohingya issue, the Home Minister said that about three lakh Rohingyas are staying in Saudi Arabia and many of them have Bangladeshi passports.

“The Saudi government wanted the renewal of their passports. Besides, we sought cooperation of the Saudi government to send the Rohingyas back to Myanmar,” he said.