The government will set up hajj management centres in Bangladesh and the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in addition to launching a dedicated mobile application, aiming to provide smooth services to hajj pilgrims.
The app will be introduced to provide a wide range of services, including lost luggage tracking, medical assistance, complaint remedy, real-time information and emergency support, Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain said in an exclusive interview with UNB.
Through the app authorities in Dhaka will be able to monitor and support pilgrims in Saudi Arabia round the clock.
The adviser said the initiatives are being taken to make this year’s hajj smoother and hassle-free.
The decision to establish hajj management centress was taken at a meeting of the National Committee on Hajj Management held on February 25 at the office of the Chief Adviser, he said.
Hajj registration deadline extended till Dec 15
He said, “The centres will be operational at the Ashkona Hajj Office and Bangladesh hajj offices in Makkah and Madinah. Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus will inaugurate a Roaming Package, mobile app, Hajj pre-paid card service on April 20.”
Hajj agencies asked to finalise agreements with approved service providers
Besides, pilgrims this year will not require to carry cash, he said, adding each will be issued a debit card which is reloadable in Bangladesh and it can be used for transactions in Saudi Arabia, said Khalid.
“The government is also set to introduce an affordable mobile phone roaming facility allowing pilgrims to use their Bangladeshi SIM cards in Saudi Arabia without purchasing new ones,” he added.
Officials at the Ministry of Religious Affairs said the app will offer support before, during and even after the hajj journey.
It will provide real-time instructions in Bangla and guide pilgrims on daily rituals, travel routes and historical backgrounds of sacred sites.
It will also help remind pilgrims of relevant prayers for each day.
In case of health issues, call centre representatives will connect pilgrims with medical professionals, said the officials.
They said any question can be addressed through the app's hotline, and suggestions can be submitted via a feedback portal.
“We want to ensure that the stress of travel does not interfere with the spiritual purpose of hajj,” a ministry official said.
The app will also offer a smart luggage tracking feature.
Electronic chips will be attached to luggage, enabling tracking from a central call centre as losing luggage is a frequent issue for Bangladeshi pilgrims, and this system will help prevent that, said the official.
A total of 92,300 Bangladeshis will perform hajj this year – 5,200 under government management and 87,100 through private agencies.
Registration began on September 1 last year and ended on December 26 while visa issuance began on February 19. Hajj flights are set to begin on April 29.
This year, the cost of performing Hajj under government management is set at Tk 4,78,242 under Package-1 and Tk 5,75,680 under Package-2.
The minimum cost for pilgrims under private management is Tk 4,83,156.
A total of 941 hajj agencies are involved in this year’s operation.
The holy hajj is expected to be observed on June 5 next subject to moon sighting.