Free Haj for kin of martyred Bangladeshis

JEDDAH: Relatives of the four Bangladeshis killed during last month’s suicide bomb attack in the Kingdom, are to perform Haj this year as guests of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman. The Bangladeshis were killed during an attack by terrorists on a mosque used by members of the Special Emergency Forces in Abha in August. Islamic Affairs Minister Saleh Al-Asheikh issued the orders on behalf of the king. Abdullah bin Mudlij Al-Mudalij, executive director of the program, held a reception for Zahed Iqbal, the father of one of the deceased Bangladeshis. He said the Haj offer was meant to honor the martyrs and their families. Al-Mudalij said it was also indicative of the king’s commitment to care for those living in the Kingdom, and a mark of Saudi hospitality. Many have been hosted by the government over the years, he said. He said the Kingdom had previously hosted the family of martyr Farman Ali Khan, the Pakistani expatriate who saved 14 people during the floods in Jeddah a few years ago. Iqbal thanked King Salman for his generosity. “This royal gesture confirms that the king is concerned about the welfare of the Muslim community.” He said he was warmly welcomed in Saudi Arabia by the program’s officials. The king has already hosted about 2,400 pilgrims from 70 countries this year. This included 1,000 family members of Palestinian martyrs, according to a report in a local publication recently. -arabnews