Dhaka: The Religious Affairs Ministry has issued a directive to all lead agencies, mandating the completion of accommodation rentals for Hajj pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah by January 28. This move comes as a response to the delay faced by several agencies in securing housing arrangements for this year’s pilgrims.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the ministry highlighted that failure to finalize housing contracts within the specified timeframe would result in the exclusion of pilgrims from performing Hajj. The ministry communicated this through letters sent to all Hajj agencies on January 24.
The letter revealed that Bangladeshi pilgrims will participate in Hajj this year through government and private management systems. Under the private arrangement, a total of 73,935 pilgrims are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia through 30 lead agencies. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has consistently reminded agencies about the importance of completing accommodation arrangements promptly.
During a virtual meeting on January 23, the Director General of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah expressed significant dissatisfaction with the slow progress in arranging housing for Bangladeshi pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah. The ministry confirmed that accommodation arrangements for pilgrims under the government management system have been finalized. It urged lead agencies to achieve 100 percent completion of housing arrangements for their pilgrims by January 28, with coordinating agencies providing necessary support.
The letter also cautioned that failing to meet the deadline could impact the concerned agencies’ future Hajj operations.