Religion Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad on Monday warned that no Hajj agency will be spared in case of harassing and deceiving Hajj pilgrims.

“No one will be spared who harasses and deceives the guests of the House of Allah. Strict action will continue to be taken against the offenders according to the code of criminal procedure,” he informed the Parliament while replying to a starred question from opposition bench member Nurul Islam (Chapainawabganj-3).

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On behalf of the Religion Affairs Minister, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed answered the questions related to the religion affairs ministry in the House.   

The Jamaat lawmaker, in his question, asked whether the government has taken any steps to reduce this suffering of Hajj pilgrims and punish these fraudulent syndicate as every year, due to the fraud of some licensed private Hajj agencies, many Hajj pilgrims go to Mecca and Medina and suffer greatly in terms of accommodation, food or transportation.

The Minister said due to some agencies, the respected Haji pilgrims sometimes suffer from accommodation, food or transportation in Mecca and Medina, which is very unfortunate.

He said the Ministry of Religious Affairs has taken various steps to alleviate this suffering of the Haji pilgrims.

Citing that the Hajj and Umrah Management Act, 2021 and the Hajj and Umrah Management (Amended) Rules, 2022, he said if any agency commits fraud or irregularities, various legal actions are taken, including cancellation of license, forfeiture of deposit, closure of its Hajj activities and monetary fines under the laws.

He said during every Hajj season, round-the-clock control rooms and IT help desks are maintained in Mecca and Medina so that Hajj pilgrims can directly and easily report their complaints while in Saudi Arabia.

Besides, Hajj pilgrims can also submit their complaints and opinions through the Hajj Portal (www.hajj.gov.bd). “Every complaint received directly and online is investigated and administrative action is taken against the guilty agency,” said the minister.

“Action is taken against the agency on an urgent basis, subject to investigation, as soon as complaints are received, especially regarding accommodation or food,” he said.

The Hajj agencies have been instructed to give information related to accommodation, transportation, tent zones and services of pilgrims in Mecca and Medina on the Ministry's e-Hajj portal and this matter is being closely monitored.

“As a result, the suffering of pilgrims has been greatly reduced,” said Kaikobad.