Dhaka: Religious Affairs Adviser Dr A F M Khalid Hossain has attributed the successful management of Hajj this year to the diligent efforts and strategic leadership of Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus. In an exclusive interview with BSS at his office at the Secretariat, Khalid emphasized the government’s comprehensive measures to ensure a seamless pilgrimage for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Khalid highlighted the importance of the holy Hajj as a fundamental pillar of Islam, stressing the responsibility to facilitate a smooth and dignified journey for pilgrims. He praised Dr Yunus’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the Hajj process and his clear stance against any form of pilgrim harassment. Under this leadership, approximately 87,100 Bangladeshi pilgrims were successfully facilitated in their travel to Saudi Arabia, with around 67,000 already having arrived safely.
Khalid also introduced three significant initiatives aimed at improving the pilgrims’ experience in Mecca. The launch of the Labbaik app, a mobile application providing real-time updates and tracking capabilities, was a major innovation. This has significantly reduced the risk of pilgrims getting lost. Additionally, for the first time, SIM roaming services have been activated, allowing for uninterrupted communication between pilgrims and their families. Furthermore, dedicated bank cards have been issued to ease financial transactions, allowing pilgrims to withdraw Saudi riyals securely.
The government has streamlined the Hajj administrative process, focusing on transparency and efficiency. Only officials directly affiliated with the Ministry of Religious Affairs were included in the Hajj management team, with a considerable reduction in the size of the official delegation compared to previous years. Khalid noted the inter-ministerial cooperation that helped reduce overall Hajj costs, including airfare.
Healthcare support has been bolstered with the deployment of 165 doctors and nurses, along with essential medicines worth Tk 1 crore. As the Hajj flight schedule concludes on May 29, Khalid assured that all necessary measures are in place for the safe and dignified return of pilgrims.
Khalid, who will personally oversee the final Hajj flight and chair a high-level meeting of the Hajj Monitoring Team, reported a significant reduction in complaints this year. He emphasized the introduction of a contractual framework for accountability between pilgrims and Hajj agencies, with strict legal action promised for any valid complaints. Khalid expressed hope that these reforms would benefit future pilgrims, underscoring the government’s dedication to a safe, affordable, and dignified Hajj experience.