Hajj and Umrah are one of the sources of income for small businesses in Saudi Arabia. These businesses include accommodation, food, transportation and gift sales. In addition, families are being encouraged to travel to Saudi Arabia. A project has been taken to make the country's tourist attractions tourist-friendly, and all transportation facilities are being arranged.

Initiatives have been taken to increase the number of hotel rooms in Makkah and Medina in Saudi Arabia. In the future, Makkah will have the largest number of hotel rooms in the Middle East. The country's goal is to create opportunities for 3 crore people to perform Hajj and Umrah by 2030.

To this end, Saudi Arabia announced 'Vision-2030' several years ago. Under this, the country is trying to diversify its economy. As part of that, the Saudi authorities have focused on the tourism industry for the past few years and have been successful. Umrah is being linked to the tourism industry in various ways.

In 2024, 18 lakh 33 thousand people performed Hajj. And in 2023, more than 13 crore 55 lakh people performed Umrah. The number of Umrah performers in 2024 will increase further. The vast majority of Hajj and Umrah performers come from outside Saudi Arabia.

The business and commerce that has developed in Makkah and Medina due to the increase in Hajj and Umrah pilgrims is increasing every year. Saudi Arabia is earning a large amount of money from financial transactions centered on Hajj and Umrah.

According to a report by Arab News, Saudi Arabia earns an estimated 15 billion dollars from the Hajj and Umrah sector every year. Although experts believe that the actual income is much higher.

Again, the economic activity of Hajj provides about 15 percent of Saudi Arabia's gross domestic product. The economies of four cities in the western part of the country, Makkah, Medina, Jeddah and Taif, are based on Hajj and Umrah.

An analysis by Gulf News says that the amount of financial transactions centered on Hajj is at least 5 thousand crore dollars. According to a study by Business Monitor International, the amount of gifts and souvenirs sold during the Hajj is at least 170 crore dollars. These items include caps, tasbeehs, prayer beads, scarves, burqas, hijabs, etc.

The US Progressive Policy Institute's 'Trade Fact of the Week' publication in 2019 said that the Hajj is the world's largest single event. It said that millions more people can join if they want. But the number of pilgrims is limited for security reasons.

On the other hand, the Guardian newspaper has called the Hajj a recession-proof economic activity. The number of flights that take off and land at King Abdulaziz Airport in Jeddah during the Hajj season alone is not seen at any other global event. The capacity of this airport is also being expanded greatly so that it can handle 8 crore passengers a year by 2035. Of course, half of these will be for Hajj and Umrah throughout the year.

The number of residential hotels of various standards has also increased in Makkah and Medina for Hajj and Umrah. Some luxury hotels in Mecca have such expensive royal suites with state-of-the-art facilities, for which rents of up to five thousand dollars per night are charged.

Many pilgrims from countries such as Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Algeria, South Africa, the United Kingdom, etc. stay in expensive and luxurious hotels. On the other hand, most of those who go for Hajj from the subcontinent, including Bangladesh, stay in ordinary and medium-quality hotels.

With the spread of information technology, pilgrims from different countries now take mobile phone SIM cards from their countries. Many also go to Makkah and Medina to collect SIM cards. Good business is also done from here.

Again, the use of electronic methods or cards instead of cash for transactions is increasing. Many pilgrims from Bangladesh also take Visa or Master Debit and Credit Cards. Some commercial banks have introduced Hajj prepaid cards.

Another report by Arab News shows that on average, more than 1 crore Hajj and Umrah pilgrims visit Saudi Arabia every year. Due to the increase in the number of Umrah pilgrims after Hajj, the commercial centers of Mecca and Medina also remain lively throughout the year. Shopping malls, commercial centers and shops around the Grand Mosque are always crowded.

In addition, there are a large number of foreign travelers in the areas of Misfala, Ajyad, Al Gaza, Al Jinn, Azizia, Kaqiya and Naqassa. There are also many shops in the hotels and malls located in the Clock Tower in the Grand Mosque area.

Visitors are seen everywhere in Azizia. In addition to the GCC countries, travelers from many Arab countries come to perform Umrah in large numbers.

Farid Muhammad, in-charge of a commercial center in Misfala, said that foreigners buy gifts, carpets, artificial ornaments and necessary items for their loved ones. Many are also interested in buying clothes and jewelry.

Farid Muhammad said that the owners of the commercial centers are happy with the arrival of visitors.

Usually, the Umrah season lasts for 9 months. During this time, commercial and economic activities in Makkah are at their peak. During the Hajj season, a large part of the country's financial sector comes from the Hajj pilgrims. In addition, the revenue received from the Umrah pilgrims throughout the year is also one of the largest sectors of the country's economy.

According to information from various international media, the Hajj brings in more money than the revenue that Saudi Arabia receives from selling crude oil. However, the exact amount of the actual income is not known. The total income from the Hajj is estimated based on estimates and statistics.

According to economists, a large part of this money comes mainly from taxes, permit fees and tariffs. In addition, the country also earns income from services such as hotels, resorts, transportation and food.

Currently, Saudi Arabia  Commercial facilities have been expanded in the travel agencies, airlines and tourism sectors in the Rabat and Gulf regions.

The number of tourists to Saudi Arabia is expected to increase next year, along with Umrah and Hajj pilgrims. And the Saudi authorities have undertaken extensive plans to address the challenges of providing security and other services to this large number of visitors.

India participated in the Liberation War to protect the Seven Sisters, said Sarjis Alam, the main organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

He made this comment at a roundtable discussion titled 'Resisting India's political and cultural dominance, solving Chattagram's regional problems and the need for national unity to establish a non-discriminatory welfare state' organized by the Chattagram Metropolitan Islamic Movement at the city's polo ground on Sunday (January 4).

Sarjis Alam said that in the past 16 years, the Awami League has taken India to the ranks of Bangladesh's masters. They have voluntarily accepted slavery to remain in power. Power was more important to them than the sovereignty of the country. An example of this is an audio recording of Sheikh Hasina, where she said, since 227 murder cases have been filed against me, 227 murders can be committed.

He also said that India is trying to present Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971 as their own war. On December 16, Indian Prime Minister Modi and the President presented the Bangladesh Liberation War as an India-Pakistan war on social media.

Referring to the current young generation, he said, this generation is not partisan, but stands for truth and justice. But it stands against abuse of power and corruption.

Regarding the prevention of India's political and cultural dominance, he said, India's influence has been established in every system of the country. The youth must be made to understand why India participated in the Liberation War in 1971. This was not for the people of Bangladesh, but for its own interests to protect the Seven Sisters.

He also said that in 1972, Indian soldiers looted Bangladesh. They entered houses and looted and violated the dignity of women. These should be brought to the attention of the people.

Addressing India, he said, by sheltering the murderer Sheikh Hasina, you have taken a stand against the people of Bangladesh. Make arrangements to send her to trial.

Referring to the regional problems of Chattagram, he said, an attempt is being made to incite mischief by inciting the Chattagram seaport, hilly areas and hill people. If we can keep Chattagram safe, it is possible to keep Bangladesh safe. We can also keep the country safe.

India participated in the Liberation War to protect the Seven Sisters: Sarjis

Staff Correspondent, Barta24.com

Dhaka: India participated in the Liberation War to protect the Seven Sisters, said Sarjis Alam, the main organizer of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement.

He made this comment at a roundtable discussion titled 'Resisting India's political and cultural dominance, solving Chattagram's regional problems and the need for national unity to establish a non-discriminatory welfare state' organized by the Chattagram Metropolitan Islamic Movement at the city's polo ground on Sunday (January 4).

Sarjis Alam said that in the past 16 years, the Awami League has taken India to the ranks of Bangladesh's masters. They have voluntarily accepted slavery to remain in power. Power was more important to them than the sovereignty of the country. An example of this is an audio recording of Sheikh Hasina, where she said, since 227 murder cases have been filed against me, 227 murders can be committed.

He also said that India is trying to present Bangladesh's Liberation War in 1971 as their own war. On December 16, Indian Prime Minister Modi and the President presented the Bangladesh Liberation War as an India-Pakistan war on social media.

Referring to the current young generation, he said, this generation is not partisan, but stands for truth and justice. But it stands against abuse of power and corruption.

Regarding the prevention of India's political and cultural dominance, he said, India's influence has been established in every system of the country. The youth must be made to understand why India participated in the Liberation War in 1971. This was not for the people of Bangladesh, but for its own interests to protect the Seven Sisters.

He also said that in 1972, Indian soldiers looted Bangladesh. They entered houses and looted and violated the dignity of women. These should be brought to the attention of the people.

Addressing India, he said, by sheltering the murderer Sheikh Hasina, you have taken a stand against the people of Bangladesh. Make arrangements to send her to trial.

Referring to the regional problems of Chattagram, he said, an attempt is being made to incite mischief by inciting the Chattagram seaport, hilly areas and hill people. If we can keep Chattagram safe, it is possible to keep Bangladesh safe. We can also keep the country safe.

Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Towhid Hossain said that he has not yet received any official response from India on sending Sheikh Hasina back.

He said this in response to a question from journalists after an annual general meeting organized by Belabo Thana Samiti in Purbachal, Purbachal, on Saturday (January 4) afternoon.

Meanwhile, on Friday (January 3), Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that a week ago, I had informed him that I had received Bangladesh’s message regarding Sheikh Hasina’s extradition. There is nothing much to say beyond that acknowledgement.

On the other hand, a report in the daily Hindustan Times regarding Sheikh Hasina’s extradition said that Bangladesh did not make the demand legally. Apart from that, there are many other reasons why the demand is not acceptable according to the agreement. However, the Foreign Ministry spokesperson did not shed any light on the report.

It is worth noting that Sheikh Hasina fled the country to India on August 5 in the face of the student uprising. She has been staying in Delhi since then.

The Chief Adviser to the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has assured British MP Rupa Haque that the upcoming general elections in Bangladesh will be completely free and fair.

During a meeting at the state guest house Jamuna on Saturday (January 4), Chief Adviser Professor Yunus told British MP Rupa Haque that people were not able to vote in the last three elections. There was a fake parliament, fake MPs and a fake speaker.

British MP Rupa Haque inquired about the date of the next general election, the reform initiatives taken by the interim government of Bangladesh and the participation process of political parties.

Dr. Yunus told her that they want to hold the next elections in two possible times - this year or mid-next year.

However, the election date will also depend on how much the people want reforms.

Rupa Haque expressed her desire to come to Bangladesh to observe the next general election.

Professor Yunus gave him a description of the Hasina government's repression of the people during the July uprising. Also present at the event was James Goldman, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director of the British High Commission in Dhaka.