The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed arrived in Jeddah Sunday afternoon on his way to Makkah to perform holy hajj. Army Chief General Moeen was also in the entourage.

The VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Air Ltd that carried the Chief Adviser and his entourage landed at the King Abdul Aziz International Airport at 2:15pm (local time and BDT 5:15pm) in Jeddah.

A royal reception was accorded to the Chief Adviser on behalf of the Saudi government at the Royal Terminal of the Airport. Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia SM Ikramul Huq, Consul General in Jeddah M Ali Akbar and other officials of the Embassy were present on the occasion, according to a message received here.

After performing Umrah prior to hajj on Sunday, the Chief Adviser will stay at the Royal Palace in Makkah Al Mukarrama.

Wife of the Chief Adviser Neena Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff Gen Moeen U Ahmed and his wife Begum Naznin Moeen, among others, are accompanying the Chief Adviser.

The Chief Adviser and his entourage members will go to Mina today(Monday) and will stay till Tuesday Fazr prayers.

Earlier, the VVIP flight of Biman Bangladesh Air Ltd, carrying the Chief Adviser and his entourage, took off at 10:15 am from the Zia International Airport.

Law and Information Adviser Barrister Mainul Hosein, Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, Food and Disaster Management Adviser Tapan Chowdhury, Saudi Ambassador in Dhaka Abdullah M Al Obaid Al Namla, Quarter Master General (QMG) of Bangladesh Army Lt Gen M Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Navy Chief Vice Admiral Sarwar Jahan Nizam, Air Force Chief Air Marshal SM Ziaur Rahman and senior civil and military officials saw off the Chief Adviser at the VVIP tarmac of the airport.

Dr Fakhruddin, attired in two pieces of white clothes - a ritual dress for hajj pilgrims, shook hand with the dignitaries in the presentation line.

After performing hajj and offering prayers at Masjid-e-Nabobi and ziarat at the holy Rawja Mubarak of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (SM) in Madinah, the Chief Adviser is scheduled to attend a meeting of Bangladesh community in Jeddah.

He is scheduled to return home on December 24.