The Saudi government has decided that pilgrims who have received Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine will not be allowed to perform Umrah.

A meeting was held yesterday led by the President of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), Shahadat Hossain Taslim, to discuss vaccine concerns and the high cost of airline tickets.

The meeting was attended by State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan, State Minister for Civil Aviation Mahbub Ali, and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan.

The HAAB leaders requested for international efforts so that those who have received Sinopharm vaccine in Bangladesh can also perform Umrah.

The Saudi government had approved vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson, according to HAAB leaders. As a result, anyone interested in performing Umrah should get one of these vaccines.

Faridul Haque requested the Saudi government's cooperation in allowing Sinopharm vaccine holders to perform Umrah in Saudi Arabia. In addition, he requested that the Ministry of Civil Aviation reduce air fares for Umrah pilgrims.

Mahbub Ali promised direct flights to Medina would be introduced for Umrah pilgrims. In this case, however, the Saudi government's permission is required and as such he requested the Saudi ambassador's assistance.

He also guaranteed Umrah pilgrims that air rates will be reduced.

The Saudi government could make a favourable judgment on the Sinopharm vaccine shortly, according to Zahirul Islam, counselor (Hajj) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

If the PCR test results are positive before the flight, the HAAB President believes that steps should be taken to ensure that Umrah passengers are not financially disadvantaged and that they can book tickets and hotels again.

According to the president, Saudi Airlines and air fares for Umrah pilgrims have increased significantly. The cost of flying must be reduced.

The Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan, said that due to the pandemic, the number of Umrah passengers was limited to 60,000, but this will be increased later.