Saudi ban on coronavirus bars five thousand Umrah pilgrims

About 5000 Bangladeshis with Umrah visas became uncertain about performing their pilgrimage as the Saudi government has imposed temporary ban on foreigners’ entry to prevent coronavirus in the country. No airlines took passengers who were scheduled to go to Saudi Arabia under Umrah or tourism visas from Hazrat Shahjalal International airport on Thursday (Feb.27) said sources.

Authorities of the airlines said they received directives issued by the Saudi foreign ministry on Thursday morning to not carry these passengers until further notice. We are communicating with our passengers after receiving the directives. We request them to wait until further notice, said an official of Saudi Airlines. 

Some airlines even had the passengers disembark after they had already boarded Saudi-bound aircrafts at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, sources said.

Around 500 passengers were seen waiting for several hours at HSIA following the Saudi government's sudden decision.

President of Hajj Agency Association Bangladesh (HAAB) M Shahadat Hossain Taslim told barta24.com said that suddenly we came to learn the ban on Saudi Arabia visit. We contacted the Saudi embassy in Dhaka who told us about the temporary ban and huge number of Bangladeshis were stranded in the airport.

He also said that half of them had Umrah visas, and had already bought tickets and arranged accommodation in Saudi Arabia.

The HAAB president said a total of Tk 40 to 50 crore was spent on the visas, tickets and accommodations abroad.

"I am not sure whether I will get back the money I spent, including for the ticket and accommodation, to perform Umrah," Hafizur Rahman, one of the pilgrimage aspirants said while talking to The Daily Star.

Meanwhile, Biman Bangladesh Airlines today in a press release said that the pilgrims who got tickets of the national carrier can get refunds or use their tickets following the lifting of the ban.

However, there was no ban on travel for work permit or employment visa holders to Saudi Arabia, the press release added.