New technology should not be a harassment for Hajj pilgrims, says Hasina

A total of 86,527 pilgrims will go from Bangladesh this year and the first Hajj flight will leave with 419 passengers Thursday

Hajj pilgrims should not be inconvenienced by the adoption of modern technology during their pilgrimage, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina says.

"I convey my good wishes to everyone gathered here on the occasion of inauguration of the 'Holy Hajj Programme-2024'. It is mandatory for the Muslims all across the world to perform Hajj if they can reach [Allah's] house, according to Surah Al Imran's verse No. 97. Today Bangladesh made a lot of progress People can register for Hajj from the comfort of their home," the prime minister said as she inaugurated the Hajj programme at the Ashkona Hajj Camp on Wednesday.

She highlighted that her party's commitment to a digital Bangladesh, promised in their 2008 election manifesto, has been fulfilled. "Now you can register online for Hajj from home or from the digital centres we set up. There is no chance of facing harassment. Modern technology has given us this opportunity.”

She likened the assassination of Bangabandhu and his family on Aug 15, 1975, to the tragedy in Karbala. No one was spared during the 1975 massacre, she said.

”My younger sister and I had left the country 15 days before the carnage. We went to visit my husband in Germany where he worked at that time. We survived. But this survival was traumatic as well. We couldn’t return home for six years. My father wanted to bring positive changes to the lives of people. All I can say is that I have been successful in doing so,” Hasina said.

HAJJ FLIGHTS FROM THURSDAY

Hajj flights will start on Thursday. A total of 86,527 pilgrims will go for Hajj from Bangladesh this year. The flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, will transport 43,899 people, making up 50 percent of the total number of pilgrims.

The first Hajj flight BG-3301 will leave Shahjalal International Airport carrying 419 passengers at 7:20am on Thursday for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Biman will operate 116 dedicated pre-Hajj flights, it said earlier in a press statement. These flights will be operated from Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet to Jeddah and Madinah. Biman has increased its workforce in Jeddah, Madinah and in its Dhaka Hajj office as well to accommodate this effort.

There will be 82 dedicated flights from Dhaka to Jeddah, nine from Dhaka to Madinah, two from Chattogram to Madinah and one from Sylhet to Madinah.

Also, Biman will operate 125 dedicated post-Hajj flights. There will be 73 flights from Jeddah to Dhaka, 15 to Chattogram, and two to Sylhet. As many as 22 flights will be operated from Madinah to Dhaka, nine to Chattogram and four to Sylhet.

Hajj pilgrims can carry 46 kg of their belongings in two pieces of luggage both ways.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs said it extended the visa processing time for the Hajj pilgrims this year until May 11.