Benaa's bid to hold Hajj event sparks concerns 

Bangladesh’s Hajj management system has come under fresh scrutiny following plans by Benaa International Company Limited, an organisation described by authorities and industry representatives as unauthorised, to host a reception for Hajj lead and coordinating agencies.

The reception and discussion programme, organised by Benaa International, is scheduled to be held at Sena Malancha in Dhaka Cantonment at 7:00pm on Sunday (August 9). The initiative has raised concerns among officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB). 

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has already instructed the relevant authorities to stop the programme, stating that Benaa International is neither an approved Hajj agency nor a recognised stakeholder authorised to organise such an event.

In a letter signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md Tofiqul Islam, the ministry said Benaa International is not on the list of Hajj agencies or stakeholders approved by the ministry and that the ministry had not been informed about the proposed programme. It therefore directed the concerned authorities to take necessary measures to cancel the event.

HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder had earlier urged the ministry to intervene and stop the programme. They alleged that Benaa International Chairman Hafiz Ziaur Rahman is not an approved Hajj or Umrah agency operator. They warned that allowing an unauthorised organisation to bring together Hajj agencies, pilgrims and other unauthorised Hajj groups could create confusion in Hajj management and provide opportunities for brokers and fraudulent operators.

Critics also fear that such initiatives could undermine ongoing government efforts to establish a transparent, disciplined and service-oriented Hajj management system by ecouraging the involvement of intermediaries and unauthorised actors in Hajj-related activities.

The Bangladesh Pilgrims and Hajji Welfare Council has also raised allegations concerning Benaa International and its chairman.
Council President Dr Abdullah Al Naser alleged that Benaa International used the licence of Al Naser Aviation Services to send around 2,000 Umrah pilgrims to Saudi Arabia during the 2025-26 and 2026-27 seasons and collected approximately Tk 3.5 crore from them.

According to Naser, three legal notices have been served demanding repayment of Tk 1.5 crore, while a case seeking SR1 million in compensation has also been filed with the Saudi authorities.

Naser further claimed that Benaa International has no registration record with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. He also alleged that the organisation was involved in misleading Umrah advertisements and unauthorised visa-related activities.