24 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims die in Saudi Arabia
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
During this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, 24 Bangladeshi nationals have died (Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilahi Raziun). Among the deceased, 17 were men and 7 were women. Of them, 15 died in Makkah and 9 in Madinah. The latest reports on May 22 confirmed the deaths of three individuals: Mohammad Nazrul Islam (61) from Rangunia, Chattogram; Saleha Begum (50) from Tarail, Kishoreganj; and Kazi Mohammad Gias Uddin (72) from Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
This information was obtained on Saturday (May 23) from the death-related data on the Hajj Management Portal of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
According to the portal, the first death of a Bangladeshi pilgrim this year occurred on April 21, when Mohammad Naim Uddin Mandal (75) from Sadar, Joypurhat, passed away. Subsequently, on April 22, Mohammad Abul Kashem (70) from Sadar, Tangail, died; on April 25, Mohammad Sirajul Haque (66) from Pagla, Mymensingh; and on April 26, Mohammad Khalilur Rahman (64) from Birampur, Dinajpur.
Additionally, on April 27, Mohammad Abdullah Al Mamun (58) from Sribardi, Sherpur, and Mohammad Abdul Hai (61) from Madarganj, Jamalpur, died; and on April 28, Mohammad Shamsul Alam (63) from Kotwali Metro, Rangpur, passed away.
Later, on May 3, Mahfuza Begum (52) from Sadar Model, Chapainawabganj, and Mohammad Nasir Uddin Biswas (58) from Sadar, Faridpur, died; on May 4, Mocha Nilufa Begum (57) from Haripur, Thakurgaon; on May 8, Mohammad Azharul Haque (64) from Nawabganj, Dinajpur, and Mohammad Abdul Matin (54) from Kotwali, Jashore.
Furthermore, on May 11, Nusrat Sharmin (62) from Savar, Dhaka; on May 12, Nasrin Jahan (37) from Sadar, Gazipur; on May 15, Mohammad A. Majid (75) from Gopalpur, Tangail; on May 16, N. M. Monirul Haque (44) from Tejgaon, Dhaka; on May 17, Sajeda Begum (56) from Sonagazi, Feni; on May 18, Mohammad Azizur Rahman (66) from Shibpur, Narsingdi; on May 20, Mohammad Kamal Hossain (61) from Daulatpur, Kushtia, and Mohammad Zakir Hossain (62) from Belkuchi, Sirajganj; and on May 21, Sultana Chowdhury (79) from Begumganj, Noakhali, passed away.
According to Saudi Arabian law, if someone dies while performing Hajj, the body is buried there. Permission to bring the body back to the home country is not granted, even if the family objects.
Depending on the sighting of the moon, this year's Hajj will take place on May 26. Flights carrying pilgrims to Saudi Arabia began on April 18 and will continue until May 28. Return flights will start on May 30, with the last flight back to the country scheduled for June 30.
