No negligence towards Hajj pilgrims will be tolerated: minister

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) has directed all concerned to perform their duties strictly to ensure that Hajj pilgrims do not face any hardship, neglect or injustice.

He made the remarks while presiding over a meeting at the Religious Affairs Ministry in the Secretariat on Tuesday to discuss the allocation of Hajj pilgrim quotas among 30 participating alliances and lead agencies, along with other preparations for the 2027 Hajj.

The minister said private Hajj agencies must work responsibly to serve the pilgrims, whom he described as “guests of Allah”. He directed the agencies to ensure that no pilgrim suffers.

The ministry will provide all necessary assistance for the welfare of the pilgrims.

The minister urged officials to focus on resolving problems quickly instead of blaming one another for mistakes.

He said government and private operators must work in coordination and conduct Hajj activities in accordance with the rules and regulations of Saudi Arabia.

Addressing ministry officials, he instructed them to take steps to implement any decision or resolve any issue within 24 hours. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone who unnecessarily makes people visit offices repeatedly or harasses them.

Noting that most of the registered quota for 2027 would be managed through private Hajj agencies, he directed officials to provide them with all-out support.

“Hajj is a highly sensitive trust for our ministry. Everyone must perform their duties considering themselves servants of the pilgrims,” the minister said.

State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser said Bangladesh’s preliminary Hajj quota had been set at 78,500 pilgrims by the Saudi government.

After deducting the quota allocated for government management, the remaining quota would be distributed among private Hajj agencies, he said.

The ministry secretary and other concerned officials attended the meeting.

sks