Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to ensure the highest standard of services for Hajj pilgrims this year.
“The prime minister said those engaged in serving Hajj pilgrims must maintain the best possible service standards this year. He also instructed the authorities to remain vigilant so that pilgrims do not face any hardship,” said his Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon.
He made the remarks 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 measures to reduce and resolve them. Discussions also focused on improving overall Hajj management, digitising pilgrims’ information, evaluating Hajj agencies, identifying agencies facing complaints, and appointing guides (Moallem) from Bangladeshi expatriates in Saudi Arabia from next year.
Officials from the Religious Affairs Ministry said a total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims 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 percent 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 on the night of 18 April.
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (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 senior officials attended the meeting.
Leaders of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), including President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Mazumder, were also present.
