Bangladesh national cricket team wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim is stranded in Jeddah amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following Israel’s attack on Iran.

The conflict has created extreme insecurity in the region’s airspace, prompting Biman Bangladesh Airlines and several international carriers to suspend flights to Middle Eastern destinations.

Mushfiqur, who had performed Umrah in Makkah, was scheduled to return to Bangladesh via Dubai on Emirates flight EK0806. In a post on his official Facebook account, Mushfiqur wrote: “Assalamualaikum all. I came to Macca for the Umrah Hajj a couple of days back. Alhamdulillah, I had finished my Hajj and was heading back to Bangladesh via Dubai (Emirates) today. We flew this morning from Jeddah to Dubai via EK0806, but unfortunately, due to the war between the USA, Israel, and Iran, all the flights have returned to Jeddah. Now I am in Jeddah Airport, along with thousands of passengers. Only Almighty Allah knows when and how we will be able to go to Dhaka along with other Bangladeshi people. Seeking prayers.”

Mushfiqur is currently spending his days at Jeddah Airport in uncertainty along with thousands of other stranded passengers.

In response to the rapidly deteriorating security situation, Biman has temporarily suspended all flights to the region. Other leading carriers, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have also cancelled flights or altered routes for safety reasons.

The growing tension between Israel and Iran, coupled with fears of retaliatory missile attacks, has led to the temporary closure of airspace over Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon.