KSA attack victim Nasrullah’s family to receive Kaikobad’s support

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad has pledged to take responsibility for supporting the family of Mufti Mohammad Nasrullah Badrpuri, who was killed in a missile attack at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia on October 10.

The minister has assured the bereaved family of assistance with permanent housing, children’s education and other necessary support. He has also provided Tk 50,000 in personal financial assistance, according to a press release.

Nasrullah, 45, a resident of Badrpur in Nangalkot upazila of Cumilla, was the leader and imam of a 45-member Bangladeshi Umrah group. He was reportedly wearing ihram and preparing to board a flight when the group was caught in the attack.

Following the incident, Kaikobad contacted the affected pilgrims and Bangladeshi mission officials in Saudi Arabia to facilitate the rescue and treatment of the injured. Despite undergoing treatment in Singapore, he continued to monitor their condition and arranged food and replacement clothing after they lost their luggage.

On October 13, a delegation led by Maulana Yaqub Osmani visited Nasrullah’s home in Badrpur on the minister’s behalf and conveyed condolences to the family. 

The minister also assured the family that necessary steps would be taken to arrange the burial of Nasrullah’s body at Jannatul Baqi in Madinah or bring it back to Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, 33 members of the affected Umrah group returned to Dhaka on Tuesday night. They arrived at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport aboard a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight at 11:20pm.

Officials from the Religious Affairs Ministry, including the minister’s Private Secretary Sadek Ahmed and Director (Hajj) Md Lokman Hossain, welcomed them at the airport. Seven other pilgrims remain under treatment at hospitals in Saudi Arabia.

The returning pilgrims expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the religious affairs minister for their assistance, including arrangements for meals, transportation and safe return home. 

They said the government had treated them with the dignity of state guests. The government is also pursuing efforts to arrange the deceased’s burial at Jannatul Baqi, following requests from his family and the madrasa authorities.