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Published : 14 Aug 2025, 02:04 PM
Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain has said his ministry will take strict measures to ensure that no one physically unfit for Hajj is allowed to perform the pilgrimage.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the “Hajj and Umrah Fair 2025” at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka’s Agargaon on Thursday, he said that performing Hajj while being physically unfit causes serious difficulties.
“Last time, there was a pilgrim with no legs. Why did you give him approval? How will he perform Umrah?”
Citing another example, he said that another person had cirrhosis under his foot, a serious skin disease, and could not get up. "The agency staff left him there. We then sent people to help him properly perform the Hajj rituals."
He mentioned the case of an 82-year-old man named Abdul Aziz who was mentally ill. "This man went missing before Hajj. We could not find him. Previously, the skeleton of a pilgrim was found on a hill."
“In consultation with the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) via civil surgeons, if someone is found unfit, we will not allow them to go. Only those who are physically capable should go; otherwise, they cannot perform Hajj and it causes us embarrassment,” the advisor said.
He mentioned that several Hajj-related issues had been discussed with the Saudi ministry, including the request to cancel catering services because “Bangladeshi pilgrims are not used to Saudi food”.
He added, “There are other problems too. I told the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah that the number of toilets in Mina, Muzdalifah, and Arafat is insufficient, causing pilgrims to queue.”
Regarding accommodation, he said: “The bed space provided does not even allow a person to sleep stretched out. I told the Saudi minister, and he seemed surprised. He told his secretary to look into it and see if it could be expanded.”
Highlighting further issues, he said: “In Muzdalifah, water runs out late at night. I had to perform ablution with mineral water. I also brought this to his attention.
“For any other problems, you can inform me, and we will try to raise them with the Saudi authorities through diplomatic channels via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
To agency owners, he said: “We have no conflict with you. We complement each other and will work as one family with team spirit. We must follow Saudi deadlines, which apply globally.”
The process of setting the Hajj airfare has begun, he said. “Whenever we discuss the matter with Biman Bangladesh Airlines, HAAB representatives will be present. Discussions will be transparent.
“If any staff members take money from agencies between the Hajj camp and the ministry, they will face punishment.”
He urged pilgrims not to take Jarda, tobacco, or cigarettes to Saudi Arabia, saying that while these are not considered drugs in Bangladesh, they are in Saudi Arabia and tarnish the country’s image.
He also sought HAAB’s cooperation to keep Hajj management free from middlemen.
