Stern actions against dishonest Hajj agents to be taken
Tuesday, 19 August 2008
The government would take stern actions against the unscrupulous Hajj agents who would fail to implement the conditions of Hajj agreement signed between the governments of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, reports BSS.
Official sources said that the decision was taken in view of the limitless sufferings faced by the intending hajj pilgrims during their stay in Saudia Arabia.
The agreement with Saudi Arabia was signed on April 9 this year. Religious Affairs Adviser AF Hassan Ariff and Saudi Minister for Hajj Affairs Fuad Bin Abdus Salam al-Quareshi signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries.
The Religious Affairs Ministry said the conditions of the agreement have to be followed properly to reduce sufferings of the pilgrims.
Under the agreement, 1,000 persons for every 1.0 million Muslim population of Bangladesh would get the permission to go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.
This year, about 46,000 people have registered their names and deposited money for relevant fees and expenditures to perform haj under government and private arrangements.
Only 7,500 pilgrims will go to Saudi Arabia under government arrangement this year while the remaining 38,500 under the arrangements by 185 private haj agents.
As per the schedule announced by the government, the intending hajis will leave the country for Saudi Arabia between October 30 and December 2 by different flights of Bangladesh Biman and Saudi Airlines.
Religious Affairs Ministry sources said delay in collection of "moallim" fees and other expenditures from the pilgrims and also in enrolling their names created various types of problems in the previous years. This had created limitless suffering for the pilgrims, they added.
Proper management of the pilgrims was hampered for the delay in completion of the enrollment of the names of the pilgrims.
Again, delay in hiring houses in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrims made it difficult, very often, to find good accommodations near the Qaba Sharif. So, many pilgrims had to stay in uncomfortable and congested houses in Saudi Arabia.
There are allegations that a section of private haj agents did not complete enrollment of the names of the pilgrims, and did not hire houses in time.
This created various problems regarding confirmation of air ticket, getting suitable accommodations and other related services, causing undue pressure on the government. In that situation, the relevant ministry could hardly take any measure for time constraint.
Official sources said that the decision was taken in view of the limitless sufferings faced by the intending hajj pilgrims during their stay in Saudia Arabia.
The agreement with Saudi Arabia was signed on April 9 this year. Religious Affairs Adviser AF Hassan Ariff and Saudi Minister for Hajj Affairs Fuad Bin Abdus Salam al-Quareshi signed the agreement on behalf of their respective countries.
The Religious Affairs Ministry said the conditions of the agreement have to be followed properly to reduce sufferings of the pilgrims.
Under the agreement, 1,000 persons for every 1.0 million Muslim population of Bangladesh would get the permission to go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.
This year, about 46,000 people have registered their names and deposited money for relevant fees and expenditures to perform haj under government and private arrangements.
Only 7,500 pilgrims will go to Saudi Arabia under government arrangement this year while the remaining 38,500 under the arrangements by 185 private haj agents.
As per the schedule announced by the government, the intending hajis will leave the country for Saudi Arabia between October 30 and December 2 by different flights of Bangladesh Biman and Saudi Airlines.
Religious Affairs Ministry sources said delay in collection of "moallim" fees and other expenditures from the pilgrims and also in enrolling their names created various types of problems in the previous years. This had created limitless suffering for the pilgrims, they added.
Proper management of the pilgrims was hampered for the delay in completion of the enrollment of the names of the pilgrims.
Again, delay in hiring houses in Saudi Arabia for the pilgrims made it difficult, very often, to find good accommodations near the Qaba Sharif. So, many pilgrims had to stay in uncomfortable and congested houses in Saudi Arabia.
There are allegations that a section of private haj agents did not complete enrollment of the names of the pilgrims, and did not hire houses in time.
This created various problems regarding confirmation of air ticket, getting suitable accommodations and other related services, causing undue pressure on the government. In that situation, the relevant ministry could hardly take any measure for time constraint.