Pilgrims going to hajj this time have to go by strict disciplines ordained from here and the destination country for a smooth sailing of the annual religious rites. Dhaka Hajj Office has started providing smooth services to the pilgrims following the directives of the government, says the director at the Hajj Office at Ashkona in the capital, Md Lokman Hossan, elaborating on the measures taken.
Since the start of hajj flights on April 29, 2025, the pilgrims have been getting hassle-free services. "We have taken required preparations and measures. We are facilitating hajj pilgrims as per the government directives," he told the FE during an interview on hajj management recently at his office.
He said the national flag-carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudi Airlines and Flynas are carrying hajj pilgrims from Bangladesh to the KSA.
He said that hajj pilgrims depending on their flight schedules started arriving at the Dhaka Hajj Camp office. A total of 78,968 people have registered this year for performing hajj under private management. And 4,950, including government officials, have registered for performing hajj under government management.
He also said 2,561 pilgrims will perform hajj under government management under package -1 while 2,389 under package-2. There will be 147 administrative teams while 163 medical teams in service.
Md Lokman Hossan also added that a dedicated mobile application or app will facilitate the intending hajj pilgrims hassle-free services. "The app will provide a wide range of services, including lost luggage tracking, medical assistance, complaint remedy, real-time information and emergency support."
The app will offer support before, during and even after the hajj journey. It will also provide real-time instructions in Bangla and guide pilgrims on daily rituals, travel routes and historical backgrounds of sacred sites. It will also help remind pilgrims of relevant prayers for each day.
"Any question can be addressed through the app's hotline, and suggestions can be submitted via a feedback portal," said the director at Hajj Office elaborating that the app will also offer a smart luggage-tracking feature.
Regarding hajj management he said that hajj-management centres in the country and in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in the KSA are ensuring hassle-free services to the pilgrims.
"The government has introduced an affordable mobile-phone roaming facility that will allow Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims to use their Bangladeshi SIM cards in Saudi Arabia without purchasing new ones," he said.
He said that electronic chips will be attached to luggage, enabling tracking from a central call centre as losing luggage is a frequent issue for Bangladeshi pilgrims, and this system will help prevent that.
About security for the pilgrims at the Hajj camp he said, "Law-enforcing agencies' personnel, including police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Ansar, are providing security to the Hajj pilgrims".
Scouts members are also engaged at the Hajj camp to ensure discipline. Medical teams are also available at the Hajj camp to provide services to the pilgrims.
Hygiene is maintained to ensure safe foods for the pilgrims at the restaurant at the Hajj camp.
Pilgrims who arrived at the camp, while talking told the FE, said that they were happy with the arrangement taken by the government.
"We are happy seeing the arrangement by the government," Md Moazzem Hossain Maznu, who left the capital with his wife Yasmin Akter along with other pilgrims, told this correspondent at the Hajj camp on Friday last.
Another Hajj pilgrim who disclosed his name as Abdul Khaleque from Thakurgson expressed satisfaction over the government management.
The number of pre-Hajj flights of Biman Bangladesh Airlines is 118 while Saudi Airlines shares 80 and Flynas 34.
The post-Hajj flights of Biman 109 while Saudi Airlines will operate 79 sorties and Flynas 35.
The last hajj flight is scheduled for May 31, 2025.
The first return flight after the pilgrimage will start on June 10, 2025 and continue until on July 10, 2025.
Registration for hajj started on September 1, 2024 and ended on December 26, 2024.
This year, the cost of performing hajj under government management is set over Tk 0.47 million (Tk 478,242) under package-1 and over Tk 0.57 million or Tk 575,680 under package-2.
The minimum cost for pilgrims to bear under private management is over Tk 0.48 million or Tk 483,156.
A total of 941 hajj agencies are engaged in dealing with hajj operation this year.
The holy hajj is expected to take place on June 5 next, subject to moon sighting.
Meanwhile, the government has urged Bangladeshis staying in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for not performing hajj without permit.
"Bangladeshis living in Saudi Arabia are requested not to perform hajj without hajj permit," said the ministry of religious affairs in a handout issued on May 02.
The government directive is meant for ensuring smooth and better hajj management and welfare of the pilgrims and maintaining the existing friendly relations between the two countries.
Bangladeshi nationals have also been asked not to stay in Makkah or the holy places of Saudi Arabia on visit visas during the current hajj season.
Also, Bangladeshis have been requested to refrain from sponsoring, transporting, assisting in entering reserved Hajj areas and arranging accommodation in hotels or houses for visit visa-holders who violate hajj regulations. "It is necessary to refrain from such acts as they have a negative impact on the existing relations between the two countries," says cautionary edict from the interim government.
This year, the Saudi government has issued new regulations to manage the entry of pilgrims to Makkah, controlling excessive crowds and strengthening security.
According to the dos and don'ts , getting in Makkah is only possible with a valid permit from the relevant authorities to work in the holy places of Saudi Arabia, a certificate of registered residence in Mecca (Iqamah) and a government-issued hajj permit. Announcing a strict stance on the upcoming hajj season earlier, the ministry of interior affairs of Saudi Arabia said anyone who attempts to perform hajj without a hajj permit will have to pay a maximum fine of 20,000 riyals.
Even if someone assists, there is a provision of a fine of up to 100,000 Riyals. 'Not only the fines, but if the crime is proven, the personal vehicle of such an assistant will also be confiscated according to the court ruling.'
The Saudi government has also said that if a foreign national stays beyond the specified time or tries to perform Hajj without a valid permit, they will be expelled from the KSA and will not be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia for the next 10 years.
This provision will be effective from the 1st of the month of Zilqad (April 29) to the 14th of the month of Zilhaj (June 10). During this period, no one will be able to enter or stay in the holy city of Makkah or the surrounding holy places without hajj permission.
Especially those who have entered Saudi Arabia on a visit visa will be monitored at the highest level.
Religious Affairs Adviser of the interim government Dr A F M Khalid Hossain has requested Bangladeshi citizens to refrain from performing unauthorised hajj. "It is necessary to follow the laws and regulations announced by the Saudi government for the smooth and orderly management of hajj."
He reminds that Bangladesh has various issues related to its interests with Saudi Arabia. About 3.5 million Bangladeshis are working in the Arab country. The highest remittance comes from this country.
"The government is committed to playing a role in smooth and smooth Hajj management in the larger interest of the Muslim Ummah," he said on an alert note.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
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