Mushfiqur Rahim stranded in Jeddah amid Middle East conflict
Mushfiqur was returning home via Dubai after performing Umrah when his flight was cancelled
Bangladesh national cricket team's veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim has been stranded in Saudi Arabia due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, as flights were suspended amid security concerns.
Mushfiqur was returning home via Dubai after performing Umrah when his flight was cancelled, leaving him stranded at Jeddah airport along with thousands of other passengers.
In a post on his verified Facebook page on Saturday (28 February), Mushfiqur shared details of the flight disruption.
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"Assalamu Alaikum. A few days ago, I came to Makkah to perform Umrah. Alhamdulillah, after completing Umrah, I was scheduled to return to Bangladesh today by Emirates [via Dubai]. This morning, we departed from Jeddah for Dubai on flight EK0806. But unfortunately, due to the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, all flights have returned to Jeddah," he wrote.
He added that he, along with thousands of passengers, is currently waiting at Jeddah airport amid uncertainty.
"At present, thousands of passengers, including myself, are at Jeddah airport. Only Almighty Allah knows when and how we will be able to return to Dhaka along with other Bangladeshis. I seek your prayers," he wrote.
Heightened tensions following Israel's attack on Iran have triggered a security crisis across the region's airspace.
In response, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and several international carriers have suspended flights to Middle Eastern destinations to avoid potential risks.
Other major airlines, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have also altered routes or cancelled flights for safety reasons.
Amid escalating tensions and fears of retaliatory missile strikes between Israel and Iran, the airspace of Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon has also been temporarily closed.
