Bangladeshi hajj pilgrim arrested for “begging” owns land, lost hands “while making bomb”
Residents of his village claim, there are 2 cases against him
The story of Matiar Rahman, who was arrested by Saudi police for "begging" in Madinah, has already gone viral on social media. While investigating Matiar's background, a great deal of information has come to light.
Matiar is found to be the owner of multiple plots of land. Locals claimed he travels abroad to beg there, and he had done this in India in the past. Additionally, there are claims that he has lost both hands while making bombs. There are two cases filed against him, this correspondent found.
Matiar's house is in Sindurkouta village, under Gangni upazila of Meherpur.
Saudi Arabian police arrested him on charges of begging in Madinah on June 22, 2022.
He was later released after the Bangladesh Hajj Mission in Saudi Arabia intervened, said the Ministry of Religious Affairs in a notice on Friday (June 24, 2022).
Matiar Rahman went to hajj through an agency — Dhansiri Travel Air Service (Hajj Licence No 737). The travel agency was given a show-cause notice by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on June 25, 2022.
When news of the incident spread on social media, including Facebook, debates and criticism spread across the nation. The incident embarrassed his family members, including his children.
Locals in Matiar's village claim to know that he owns about 10 to 12 bigha of land there. Atiar Rahman, his older brother, claimed that he is a wealthy man with four offspring.
Mumtaz Khatun, Matiar Rahman's wife, said that her husband had left to perform hajj this year. She said Matiar has performed hajj four times so far.
Investigations showed that Matiar had previously been a member of a robbery gang. He gave up robbery in 2006 after losing both hands, allegedly in a bomb blast.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Gangni Police Station, Abdur Razzak, said, "Matiar's case is being investigated. On charges of rioting and theft of electric transformers, two cases were filed with the Gangni Police in 2010 and 2012."
Chairman of Matmura Union Parishad, Sohel Ahmed, said, "After inquiring about Matiar, I learned that each time he returns home, he brings about Tk 15–20 lakh. He has developed a habit of begging abroad. He began to beg there (Saudi Arabia) in the name of performing hajj."
Farooq Ahmed, member of the same Union Parishad, also confirmed the information. He said that Matiar spends Tk 5-7 lakh to travel to Saudi Arabia on hajj visa. After coming back, he purchases land, and has acquired 35–40 bigha of land this way, he claimed.
Translated by Tanjeel Rezwan