The minister for religious affairs on Monday admitted that a rule stating that a person performing Hajj at state expense was disallowed from bringing spouses or children with them – even if they bear their family's expenses personally – had been breached during this year's Hajj.
This year 268 government functionaries and high officers of state travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj at state expense, and 50 brought their spouses and children with them.
An office order signed by Assistant Secretary (Hajj) Begum Hasina Shirin states that those who perform Hajj at state expense cannot take their spouses or children with them even if they foot the bill for their families.
In reply to a starred question, Religious Affairs Minister Matiur Rahman disclosed a list of 268 lawmakers, lawmakers' wives, parliament standing committee members' children, government officials, public prosecutors, journalists, political leaders and officials of various government offices who had their pilgrimage paid for by the state.
The list includes Samsuddin Ahmed and his wife Janu Khatun; Ayesha Begum and her son Bulbul Ahmed; Mohammad Zakir and his wife Sahida Akter; Safia Khatun and her husband Gulam Mirza; Junaid Hossain and his wife Marza Aktar; Mohammad Ali Zaman and his wife Salma Aktar Anika; Fazrer Nesa and her son Mohiuddin Tipu; Sabina Rahman Mini and her husband Obaidur Rahman; Hamida Khatun and her son Abul Khayer; Shahnaj Islam and her husband SM Azharul Islam; Tania Karim and her husband Rezaul Karim; Sahana Huq, her husband Mahmud Kamal Enamul Huq and their daughter Rezwana Huq; Kazi Rafiqur Rahman and his wife Maleka Khatun and Farzana Sultana Barna and her husband Mahmudur Rahman Khan.
Replying to a starred question from Mohibur Rahman Manik, the minister told parliament that a total of 106,094 Bangladeshi citizens performed Hajj on government and non-government arrangements this year.
Matiur also informed the House that 271 Bangladeshi citizens had died on the pilgrimage this year.
