Non-resident Bangladeshis will be required to travel from Bangladesh to perform Hajj, as there is no provision for them to go directly to Saudi Arabia from the countries where they currently reside.

The information was confirmed in a circular issued by the Hajj-1 Section of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. 

The circular said that a pilgrim registered under the Hajj quota of one country cannot travel to Saudi Arabia from any other country. 

This provision is included in Article 14 of the Essential Instructions issued by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

The letter also noted that certain agencies have been registering expatriate Bangladeshis for Hajj and facilitating their travel directly from abroad to Saudi Arabia. 

This practice has created multiple complications in Hajj management, according to the ministry.

Among the issues highlighted are the inability to provide pre-arrival data, including flight information, to the Nusuk Massar system; the difficulty of ensuring health check-ups and administering meningitis and influenza vaccines; and the challenge of issuing e-Hajj system-generated fitness certificates confirming that pilgrims are not suffering from chronic illnesses and are capable of performing Hajj. 

Training sessions for such pilgrims cannot be arranged either.

Besides, the ministry pointed out that this situation leads to empty seats on flights and creates further disruptions in the overall Hajj management process.

The circular concluded by urging Hajj agencies to ensure that expatriate Bangladeshis registered for Hajj are sent to Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh only. 

Agencies failing to comply with this directive will be held responsible, the ministry warned.