Bangladesh made hajj manager in SA

DHAKA, Jan 5 (BSS) - Bangladesh was made best manager of hajj pilgrims among the South Asian countries for the last hajj by 'Muastefa Junub Asia', an approved organization of ministry of Hajj of Saudi Arabia.

According to the organization, Bangladesh received maximum points among South Asian countries in operating hajj flights in due time as well as in managing pilgrims' facilities including their accommodations.

This was revealed today at a press briefing by the Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry after holding the last hajj flights meeting at the ministry's conference room here.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister G M Quader spoke at the meeting while Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Shafique Alam Mehdi was present.

Quader said it's a huge success of all related bodies to handle safely records number of hajj pilgrims - 91,823 this year safely.

"We have ranked top among the South Asian nations and also received a certificate from Makkah for our success in managing pilgrims properly" he said. The minister said almost all pilgrims have already returned from Saudi Arab and rest about 1000 pilgrims are on their way to home. "It has proved wrong the apprehension that many pilgrims won't return home this year (20010)," he added.

Number of pilgrims 2010 became almost double comparing to the numbers of 58,000 in 2009 and 48,000 in 2008.

For the first time, the government involved eight more airlines as the third carriers apart from Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudi Arabian Airlines for carrying this huge number of hajj pilgrims. Among the devotees Biman carried 44,616, Saudi Airlines 19,781 while the third carriers ferried 27,426.

"As per our agreement with the third carrier Biman will get 150 US dollar for each passenger from the third carrier which is 4.1 million US dollar or Taka 29.06 crore," Civil Aviation Minister said.

The hajj flights have started on October 9 and ended November 12 and the return flights started on November 21 an ended by December 21.

The Minister said they would start hajj management activities from now on for the next hajj season through holding seminars, consultations and meeting to bring further improvement in hajj management.

On a query about Biman loss of Taka 80 crore in previous year, the Minister said the authorities of Biman Bangladesh Airlines are now inspecting about the loss. "After knowing the reasons behind the loss Biman will take suggestion from the ministry for recovering it," he said.

He also said the share of Biman would offload at the stock market soon to make it profitable.


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