Bangladeshi haji finds, returns money to fellow pilgrim; brightens country’s image

A Bangladeshi haji has found and returned seven lakh CFA franc to its owner, a pilgrim from Burkina Faso.

Abdur Rahman Prodhan, from Dhaka's Demra, is being lauded for his kind gesture in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

In his Facebook post, Abdur Rahman said that he found a bundle of foreign currency in Madinah Sharif on Monday.

He then started looking for the person the money belonged to, with a handwritten sign: "Some African France (franc) Found".

With the sign around his neck, the Bangladeshi haji roamed near Al-Masjid an-Nabawi for the owner of the franc.

Abdur Rahman finally found the owner of the franc. A citizen of Burkina Faso claimed that it was his money, and gave proof in favour of his claim.

Giving a brief description about this incident, Abdur Rahman in his Facebook post, said that after getting his money back, the hajj pilgrim from Burkina Faso cried in relief and hugged him.

An official of Bangladesh Hajj Mission in Madinah said that such a noble gesture by a Bangladeshi haji certainly brightens country's image in Saudi Arabia.

"We are trying to locate the Bangladeshi haji to appreciate his great deed," he added.

Abdur Rahman's Facebook post has gone viral, as many people and groups shared it.

SH Shaikat, marketing executive at Confidence Ad who is a neighbour of Abdur Rahman, told The Daily Star that they are proud of him.

Recently, a Bangladeshi haji, Matiur Rahman, was detained by Saudi authorities on charge of begging which went viral on social media – damaging the country's image abroad.