Step motherly treatment towards Ctg Hajj pilgrims alleged by civil society leaders, Divn Hajj office demanded

Chittagong Bureau :
Political and civil society leaders with the Hajj Pilgrims Welfare Society (HPWC) blamed the govt for step- motherly treatment to the Hajj pilgrims from Chittagong division.
They said despite availability of all infrastructural and transportation facilities, direct hajj flights from Chittagong Shah Amanat International airport yet to be declared even long-felt demand of the intending pilgrims.
 The civil society leaders and the HPWC demanded reopening of existing Haji camp of Chittagong which was built in 1948 for the better facilities of the pilgrims. Mentionable that from British rule upto 1978 after emergence of Bangladesh , the existing Haji camp was remained operative. The Hajj pilgrims from across the country used to come to Chittagong Haji camp at Pahartali in city aimed at boarding the Jeddah seaport bound ships from Chittagong Sea Port. After introduction of airflights for pilgrims from Dhaka Airport, all activities for intending Haji through Chittagong Haji camp closed down in 1989 . Since 1979, the Hajj pilgrims had to face unbearable sufferings at Dhaka based temporaryhaji camp earlier . Generally elderly people of Chittagong zone are used to perform Hajj . These old pilgrims have to fac e suffering at Dhaka.
 A reputed industrialist , politician and social personality Nurul Islam BSc said the sufferings of the intending Hajj pilgrims will ease to some extents if the direct flight from Ctg Airport to Jeddah is introduced permanently except eyewash of transportation of few pilgrims through Chittagong airport.
He demanded reopening of the 66 yrs old permanent haji camp of Chittagong with minor renovation before the beginning of Hajj flights.
Political personality and former Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury told that there is a permanent Haji camp in Chittagong and it may be renovated with minor expenditures and the divisional Hajj office must be opened at Chittagong Haji camp aimed at regular flight schedule for pilgrims through Chittagong airport at easing the sufferings of the pilgrims of greater Chittagong.
While contacted political , social leader and sports organizer AZM Nasiruddin said govt is treating the step-motherly treatment to the pilgrims of Chittagong as about 20 thousand pilgrims of Chittagong division have to go Saudi Arabia through Dhaka airport . He demanded reopening of existing permanent Haji camp of Chittagong aimed at better service to the pilgrims for flying through Ctg Airport to Jeddah.
Chittagong district commander of Mukhtijudda Sangsad, Chittagong Shahabuddin said Pahartali Hajicamp is a historical installation which is now going to be reuined . This historical Haji camp lying uncared since long. Govt should renovate this said Haji camp for imparting trainings and other formalities for a pilgrim in Makkah , Madina before leaving to Saudi Arabia. He demanded opening of Divn Hajj Office in Ctg .
 He further said all types of international flights by different airlines of local and foreign are being operating from Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport since long and concerned authority should take immediate decision to introduce Chittagong-jeddah flights directly from Chittagong to ease the sufferings of the pilgrims of greater Chittagong.
Meanwhile, Hajj (Pilgrims) Passenger Welfare Council(HPWC) demanded introduction of Chittagong-Jeddah hajj flight schedule beside Dhaka-Jeddah service during Hajj period at a meeting held on Saturdy at a city hotel .
 The Council also demanded re-operation of 66 years old Chittagong Haji Camp at Pahartali in the city for the pilgrims of Chittagong Division. At the meeting of HPWC said the pilgrim used to face utter miseries to board the Hajj flight fromDhaka. The pilgrims of Chittagong are compelled to reach Dhaka either rail or by road which is most difficult for the elderly people. The speakers also demanded flight schedule of Hajj flight in between Dhaka -Madina and Chittagong- Madina as like as other countries of the world inclulding India and Pakistan. The meeting was told that the devout pilgrims who will go to Makkah beforehand of Holy Hajj will reach Jeddah airport and after completion of Holy prayer at Madina will return home directly from Madina. But those will go to holy Madina first, these pilgrims will return home directly from Jeddah after performing the essential holy formalities at Makkah. The pilgrims of other countries are practicing this schedule and why it is not possible for Bangladesh, the speakers added. The HPWC urged the prime minister for intervention in this matter immediately. Mentionable that Hajj Training Workshop will be arranged Zila Parishad hall in city on August 16 next under the auspices of HPWC.
The emergency meeting of HPWC was held at a posh hotel in city on Saturday last with its president Ahmedul Islam Chowdhury in the chair.
 Among others, General secretary of HPWC Principal Dr. Abdul Karim, Principal Moulana Shakawat Hossain, Prof. Dr. Ismail Miah, Prof. Kazi shahdat Hossain, Abu Mohd Nurul Islam, Prof. AKM Saifuddin, Md. Sharif, Kazi Fazlullah, Principal Shafi quaderi, Shajada Kaiser Mirza, Prof. Shamim Zubair, Master Abdus Salam Chowdhury , Miah Ashraf Hossain, Zamiruddin Chowdhury and Jahangir Hossain spoke on the occasion.
While contacted Secretary General of HPWC Principal Dr Karim told that several direct flights for Hajj pilgrims are being operated from Mumbai, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad , Lucknow, Gohati, Nagpur airports of India and Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshwar, Quetta and Muzzafarabad airports from Pakistan.He disclosed that a family of remote village of Chittagong consists of 4-5 members had to suffer unbearable sufferings if they go to Saudi Arabia from Dhaka.