PM orders best services for Hajj pilgrims, steps to ease hardships

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today (12 April) directed the authorities concerned to ensure the best possible services for Hajj pilgrims this year.

"The prime minister said those engaged in serving Hajj pilgrims must ensure the highest standard of service this year. He also instructed the authorities concerned to remain vigilant so that pilgrims do not face any hardship," said his Additional Press Secretary, Atikur Rahman Rumon.

He said the instruction was given at a meeting of the National Committee on Hajj Management held at the Secretariat, chaired by the prime minister.

Rumon said the meeting reviewed the common problems faced by pilgrims and discussed ways to reduce or resolve them.

Rumon said the meeting also discussed improving overall Hajj management, storing pilgrims' information online, evaluating Hajj agencies, identifying agencies facing complaints, and appointing guides (Moallem) from Bangladeshi expatriates living in Saudi Arabia from next year.

Officials of the Religious Affairs Ministry said a total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh will travel to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year.

Of them, 4,565 will go under government arrangements, while 73,935 will travel through private agencies.

Around 50% of the pilgrims will fly with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, while the rest will travel by Saudia Airlines and Flynas.

Hajj flights are scheduled to begin from the night of April 18.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khan Rita, State Minister Rashiduzzaman Millat, MP Shamim Qaiser Lincoln, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani, Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, and other senior officials were present at the meeting.

Leaders of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAB), including President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Mazumder, also attended the meeting.