The government has directed hajj agencies not to charge extra money from pilgrims for sacrificial animals during this year's hajj to ensure hassle-free services for devotees.
The ministry also issued several other instructions following a meeting with Abdur Rahman Ghyanam, the director general of Jeddah Airport Services at the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.
The meeting took place on the Zoom platform on Sunday, according to a press release on Tuesday. The Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a letter regarding this matter on Monday.
Pilgrims will be able to perform the Qurbani as they wish by purchasing a Saudi government bank coupon or making their own arrangements.
"The agency will not be able to take extra charge for Qurbani in any way. Legal action will be taken against the concerned agency if specific complaints are received in this regard," the ministry press statement added.
In the instruction agencies have been asked to enter hajj flight data on time.
Apart from this, hajj agencies have been cautioned against sending Zorda cartoons through hajj pilgrims.
In addition to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Bangladesh hajj office, Makkah and Jeddah officials and owners of hajj agencies participated in this meeting.
In this meeting, dissatisfaction was expressed on behalf of Saudi Arabia over flight data not being properly and regularly entered in the Saudi e-Hajj system by the agencies.
It is said that due to not providing hajj flight data entry, Medina and Jeddah airport authorities are not able to know the necessary information. As a result the desired services are not being provided to the pilgrims.
In this meeting, it is requested to enter the flight data correctly in the Saudi e-Hajj system before starting the hajj flight journey.
"Otherwise, disciplinary action will be taken against the concerned agency."
Some agencies sent cartoons of Jorda through their pilgrims which were intercepted at Jeddah airport. It is tarnishing the honor of the country, the press release also said.
Many agencies are not sending hajj guides or representatives to accompany the hajj pilgrims, the meeting observed.
UNB added from Chattogram, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has started its first hajj flight from the port city of Chattogram carrying 398 hajj pilgrims on Tuesday.
The flight left Shah Amanat International Airport at 3:45 am, said Biman's Chattogram Manager Shahadat Hossain.
Earlier, Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury inaugurated the Hajj flight from Chattogram to Medinah at Shah Amanat International Airport.
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