Time is running out for some 15,000 hajj pilgrims who are yet to receive their visas. Although the religious ministry has given a 48-hour ultimatum (that runs out today) to 16 agencies to complete the visa related procedures to send 3,000 pilgrims by August 26, we need to ask some hard questions regarding bungling of this year's hajj.

As many as 16 hajj agencies are yet to send a single pilgrim to Saudi Arabia despite getting visas of aspirant hajis for their “negligence”, says Civil Aviation Minister Rashed Khan Menon.

The High Court directs the foreign ministry to communicate with the Saudi Arabian government to resolve the visa complexities in 48 hours for smooth journey of hajj pilgrims.

Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahman blames a section of hajj agencies for cancellation of hajj flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines. In continuation of the mess with hajj management, two more flights are cancelled due to shortage of pilgrims.

Three more hajj flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines are cancelled for shortage of pilgrims after two days of smooth operation.

Religious Affairs secretary Abdul Jalil says the hajj pilgrims who failed to go to Saudi Arabia due to visa complications will be able to fly in the next 21 days.

The uncertainty over 18,000 pilgrims being able to perform hajj this year has ended following a meeting between officials of Bangladesh embassy in Saudi Arabia, Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh, and the Saudi government.

The first hajj flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines carrying 418 pilgrims took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport yesterday morning.