Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) has extended financial and other assistance to the family of Mufti Md Nasrullah Badarpuri, a Bangladeshi Umrah pilgrim killed in an attack at Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia.
The returning pilgrims expressed gratitude to the minister for coordinating assistance, medical treatment and their safe return to Bangladesh, the Ministry said in a press release on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs formally welcomed the returning pilgrims upon their arrival at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.
On October 10, a 45-member Bangladeshi Umrah delegation came under attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Nasrullah Badarpuri, 45, who led the delegation as its imam, was killed, while several other members were injured.
Nasrullah was a resident of Badarpur in Nangalkot upazila of Cumilla.
After learning about the incident, the minister contacted members of the delegation and coordinated with officials of the Bangladesh mission in Saudi Arabia to arrange rescue efforts and medical treatment for the injured.
Although he was in Singapore for medical treatment at the time, the minister remained in contact with the pilgrims to monitor their condition, according to the ministry.
He also arranged food, clothing and other essential items for the pilgrims after they lost their luggage in the incident. The government subsequently coordinated their return tickets and repatriation.
On October 13, a delegation led by Maulana Yakub Osmani, representing the minister, visited the deceased's family in Badarpur and conveyed condolences.
The minister assured the family that steps would be taken to provide permanent housing and support the education of the deceased's children.
In a telephone conversation with the family, he also promised to expedite arrangements either to bury Nasrullah at Jannatul Baqi in Madinah or bring his body back to Bangladesh.
The minister personally provided Tk 50,000 in financial assistance to the family.
Meanwhile, 33 members of the 45-member delegation returned to Bangladesh aboard a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight, arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 11:20pm on Tuesday.
Following the minister's instructions, officials from the ministry, including his Private Secretary Sadek Ahmad and Director (Hajj) Md Lokman Hossain, were present at the airport to receive them.
Speaking to journalists, Sadek Ahmad said the minister had arranged dinner for the returning pilgrims and transport to help them reach their respective madrasas and homes safely.
He said the minister would continue to provide necessary assistance and, if required, consult the prime minister on further steps.