Hajj journeys by sea may begin this year if pilgrims show interest

On October 11, Religious Affairs Adviser A F M Khalid Hossain suggested that sea travel for Hajj could reduce costs by 40% compared to air travel. Today, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan added that, if there is enough interest from pilgrims, sea journeys for Hajj could start this year. She shared this update at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy following a meeting of the Advisory Council on Thursday (October 23). She also noted that the Saudi government has no objection to Bangladesh arranging Hajj pilgrimages by sea. Currently, countries like India, Pakistan, and Sudan offer Hajj travel by ship, with India beginning in 2018 and Pakistan in 2020 for both Hajj and Umrah routes to Jeddah.