Though the government has been repeatedly requesting the pilgrims to register for Hajj 2025 that would conclude by November 30 this year, the intending pilgrims are not showing their interest to complete their registration even after completion of pre-registration.
Till Tuesday, only one fifth of the allotted quota, 25,241 persons out of 127,198 pilgrims quota allotted to Bangladesh, have completed their registration.
In this situation, owners of the private Hajj agencies and officials relevant with the process apprehend that the quota allotted for Bangladeshi pilgrims may not be filled in the upcoming Hajj season. They have demanded extending the Hajj registration period until December 31 this year.
Under the banner of Sadharon Hajj Agencer Malikbrindo, members of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), on Tuesday submitted a prayer to the Religious Affairs Ministry demanding extension of registration deadline. Former HAAB president Faruk Ahmed Sarder and secretary general Farid Ahmed Majumder signed the prayer.
Besides, Bangladesh Islami Dal (BID) Ameer Dr Abdullah Al Naser, also President of Bangladesh Pilgrims and Haji Welfare Council, also demanded extending the registration time until December 31.
According to the Hajj Office of Ashkona, only 25,241 pilgrims have completed their registration till Tuesday by depositing Tk 3 lakh as per the announcement of the government. Of them, 3,878 persons have registered for pilgrimage under government management and 21,363 under private arrangement.
Till Tuesday, 66,563 more pilgrims have completed their pre-registration intending to perform Hajj this year. Of them, 1,374 pilgrims enrolled for pilgrimage under government management and 65,189 under private management. Pre-registration for around 45,494 pilgrim's quota remains vacant still.
Former HAAB secretary general Farid Ahmed Majumder told this correspondent that only four more days remain for completion of the registration of the pilgrims when 45,494 pilgrim's quota remains vacant for pre-registration. Same time, all of the pilgrims, who have already pre-registered would not be able to complete registration in this time.
As a result, only 50 per cent of the quota could be filled by this deadline of November 30. If the government does not extend the deadline, rests of the quota will remain vacant, he apprehends.
In the prayer, the HAAB members claimed that most of the intending pilgrims have been facing financial crisis due to the unrest of July-August Uprising, natural disasters, unrest in the banking sector, as most people are unable to withdraw their cash deposited in their accounts.
Same time, the renewal process of their passports is also one of the reasons. Most of the pilgrims have not yet received their passports in hands from the passport offices they submitted for renewal.
The prayer also stated that the deadline for Hajj registration extended several times in till January last year. In this consideration, the deadline could be extended till December 31 this year.
Bangladesh Islami Dal Ameer Dr Abdullah Al Naser, also President of Bangladesh Pilgrims and Haji Welfare Council, said in a statement that most of the Bangladeshi pilgrims usually go to Hajj by selling their crops like paddy, wheat, potato, brinjal, mustard, and onion. It would take the whole month of December to complete harvest of the crops. So, the deadline should be extended till December 31 this year.
If the deadline is not extended, the pilgrims cannot deposit the huge amount, Tk 3 lakh, at a time to complete their registration, Naser added.
When contacted over phone Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik and Additional Secretary (Hajj) Md. Motiul Islam did not respond.
However, the Religious Affairs Ministry officials said that the deadline would be extended again soon to complete the registration process, so that the quota is fulfilled.
