Dhaka: Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain announced today that Hajj pilgrims experienced no difficulties at the airport this year, attributing this to the strict instructions from Chief Adviser Prof. Mohammad Yunus.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr. Khalid made these remarks during a press conference at the religious affairs ministry’s conference room at the Secretariat. He emphasized that the Chief Adviser had given explicit directives to ensure the Hajj journey was easier, safer, and more convenient for the pilgrims. Prof. Mohammad Yunus had also warned of taking necessary actions if any deficiencies were found.
Dr. Khalid elaborated that under the Chief Adviser’s guidance, nearly 87,000 Hajj pilgrims managed to perform their Hajj rituals successfully and returned home safely. This was achieved under the management and supervision of the concerned ministry, eliminating dependence on any particular Hajj agency. The government’s involvement in Hajj management is solely for providing services to the pilgrims, with no business interests attached.
He further stated that the Chief Adviser maintained regular communication about the pilgrims’ status, even during their stay in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Khalid emphasized that the primary instruction was to ensure that no pilgrim would encounter any problems, a directive that was successfully followed.
The Hajj formalities concluded on June 8, with return flights commencing on June 10 and ending on July 10. All promised services were provided to the government-managed pilgrims, including hotel services from 7 am to 12 am, facilitated by a dedicated team of officials.
Medical services were also available to the pilgrims through centers in Makkah, Madina, and at the Bangladesh Plaza in Jeddah airport. To enhance the safety and ease of the Hajj performance, the government assigned a guide for every 46 pilgrims and deployed officials at critical points in Mina and Arafa grounds. This resulted in a significantly lower number of missing pilgrims, with only one out of 892 remaining unaccounted for by the end of the pilgrimage.