5 August 2017, Sat, 5:46

Secretary General expresses concern over Hajj irregularities and mismanagement

Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 5th August, 2017 expressing deep concern over the ongoing irregularities, mismanagement, Hajj pilgrim's sufferings and Hajj flight schedule crisis.

Along with the Hajj pilgrims and fellow citizens of the country, we are deeply concerned at the ongoing irregularities, mismanagement, Hajj pilgrim's sufferings and Hajj flight schedule crisis. Hajj pilgrims are the guest of Almighty Allah. Any mismanagement with the Pilgrims, faults, irresponsible behaviour and irregularities are painful.

Severe crises are being observed with the issuance of visa of the Hajj pilgrims. Till 4th August, lodge activities has been completed for 70 thousand and 82 pilgrims. Where as Saudi embassy has issued visa for 57 thousand 8 hundred and 79 pilgrims. Getting no visa, pilgrims are passing days amid severe worries and tensions. Meanwhile flight schedule of the Hajj bound pilgrims has turned into the worst ever situation. Today on 5th of August, two scheduled hajj flight has been cancelled. So far 19 hajj flight including 16 from Bangladesh Biman and 3 from Saudia Airlines has been cancelled. Such a mismanagement with a ritual like Hajj is painful and shameful.

The religious ministry of the government always blamed the hajj agencies for this mismanagement. But the Hajj agencies have rejected such claims of the government and accused the government of such irregularities. Such reverse statements from two sides are not acceptable to the government. The fellow citizens of the country holds the government responsible for the entire situation.

In this backdrop, I am urging the concerned authorities to stop giving lame excuses and to take effective measures to ensure proper management so that the Hajj pilgrims can go to perform Hajj and can safely return home.