The first batch of pilgrims benefiting from the Makkah Route Initiative today left Bangladesh for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the initiative hall at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa Al-Dheilan and the participation of several senior officials in Bangladesh, including Minister of State for Religious Affairs Mohammad Faridul Haq Khan and Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism Mahbub Ali. The Makkah Route Initiative is launched in Bangladesh for the second time this year after it was launched in 1440 Hijri, in addition to its launch in Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia and Morocco and it is one of the initiatives of the Pilgrim Experience Program of the Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative aims at completing pilgrims' procedures from their countries, starting from issuing visas electronically, collecting their biometrics, and completing travel procedures at the airport of the country of departure after ensuring they meet health conditions. The procedures also include labeling and sorting luggage according to the transportation and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where they will immediately use buses upon their arrival to move them to their residences in Makkah and Madinah, while logistics agencies will deliver their luggage to their residences.
