The Ministry of Religious Affairs on Sunday ordered the Hajj agencies to submit all remaining visa applications of pilgrims by Monday 12 pm, reports UNB.
In a letter sent to all lead and coordinating Hajj agencies, the ministry said more than 10,000 intending hajj pilgrims have yet to receive their visas, citing an urgent message from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, which announced that the Nusuk Masar Platform, the portal for visa applications, will close permanently after the Monday deadline.
"Visa applications not submitted through the platform by 12 noon on May 5 will not be accepted under any circumstances. Those missing the deadline will be unable to perform Hajj in 2025," the ministry warned.
All the lead agencies concerned have been ordered to submit visa applications along with passport, biometric enrollment, house or hotel and flight information of the hajj pilgrims who have not yet submitted their visa applications to the Nusuk Masar platform by 12 tomorrow.
The ministry also said that if any pilgrim misses the Hajj due to an agency's negligence, the responsible lead or coordinating agency will be held accountable under the Hajj and Umrah Management Act-2021 and the Hajj and Umrah Rules-2022.
This year's Hajj is expected to be held on June 5, subject to the sighting of the moon. Hajj flights from Bangladesh began on April 29 and will continue until May 31.
According to the ministry, 87,100 Bangladeshis are scheduled to perform Hajj this year, with 5,200 under government arrangements and 81,900 through private agencies.
As of Sunday morning, a total of 22,203 pilgrims, including management staff, have reached Saudi Arabia, according to the daily bulletin published on the Hajj portal.
Of these, 4,564 travelled under the government scheme and 17,639 under private arrangements in 54 Hajj flights operated so far.
Meanwhile, two pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia, according to the bulletin.
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