United News of Bangladesh

Over 1.5 million international pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj, according to a government spokesperson on Wednesday. Hajj, one of Islam’s Five Pillars, is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims who are financially and physically capable. It involves a series of rituals and worship acts that must be completed at least once in a lifetime. Hajj begins as pilgrims arrive in Mina for day of Tarwiyah Ghassan Al-Nuwaimi, a spokesperson for the Hajj Ministry, shared an estimate of foreign attendees but did not disclose the number of domestic pilgrims. Last year, 1,611,310 pilgrims came from outside Saudi Arabia. On Wednesday, pilgrims began arriving at Arafat, with some walking and carrying their belongings in the heat, where temperatures neared 40°C (104°F). Some helped elderly companions along the way. Many paused to rest or eat before continuing to their camps. Mount Arafat, a rocky elevation southeast of Mecca, holds deep religious importance. It is referenced in the Quran and is believed to be the site where the Prophet Muhammad delivered his final sermon during his last pilgrimage. Islamic tradition regards the Day of Arafat as the holiest day of the year, when God is believed to come close to worshippers and forgive their sins. Pilgrims stay in Arafat from after midnight to after sunset, dedicating the time to prayer and reflection. Once the sun sets on Thursday, they will head to Muzdalifah, a nearby plain, to collect stones for an upcoming ritual. Smart Hajj: How Saudi Arabia Is innovating crowd management for pilgrims Despite Saudi Arabia’s investment of billions in safety and crowd management, ensuring the well-being of such large numbers remains a challenge—especially with rising temperatures posing a major concern in recent years. Earlier this week, Health Minister Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel told The Associated Press that 10,000 trees have been planted to offer more shade, hospitals have increased bed availability, and the number of paramedics has tripled.

A total of 34,776 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia so far, according to the latest report from the Hajj office under the Religious Affairs Ministry. According to the report, the pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia by 86 flights till 10 am on Thursday. Some 52,324 Bangladeshi pilgrims are yet to depart for the pilgrimage. Meanwhile, 85,303 pilgrims have received their visas, while 1,797 are still waiting for visa issuance. Hajj flights: Ministry issues urgent notice for pilgrims who fly Tuesday

Inaugurating the mobile app “Labbaik” prepared to facilitate services for the Hajj pilgrims, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Monday said this app will play an important role in ensuring that the Hajj pilgrims can perform their religious duties without any difficulty. The chief adviser inaugurated the app, developed for the first time under government management, at the State Guest House Jamuna and urged the Hajj pilgrims to use this app. “As it is helpful in performing religious duties and has various features including health services, this app will make a great contribution to the Hajj pilgrims in performing Hajj smoothly,” Prof Yunus said. New 'Labbayk' app, prepaid card, roaming services for Hajj pilgrims launching Monday Although pilgrims can use this app from the beginning of the holy Hajj this year, the chief adviser directed the concerned ministries and departments to work towards making the Hajj journey easier by using this app from the stage of thinking about going for Hajj from next year. He said initiatives will be taken to learn from countries that are more advanced in Hajj management than Bangladesh and to provide the technical aspects of Bangladesh’s app free of charge to countries that do not have such systems. Prof Yunus also suggested making this app easier and error-free in the future, said the Chief Adviser’s press wing. The launch of this app will not only make it easier for the Hajj pilgrims to perform their religious duties, but will also make them worry-free when traveling to and from Saudi Arabia, he said. The chief adviser thanked everyone involved in the development of the app. Saudi Arabia issues warning against unauthorised Hajj without permit Along with this app, he inaugurated the Hajj prepaid card and Hajj roaming package facilities. Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain, Cultural Affairs Adviser Mostafa Sarwar Farooki and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb were also present.

The management of Hajj is set to enter a new era with the introduction of a mobile app, prepaid card services and enhanced roaming facilities aimed at making the pilgrimage experience smoother and more convenient for Bangladeshi pilgrims this year. The government will launch the new mobile application, 'Labbayk', alongside a Hajj prepaid card and special mobile roaming packages for pilgrims. Govt to introduce hajj management centres, app to ensure seamless services for pilgrims These services will be officially inaugurated by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at his Jamuna residence tomorrow (Monday, 28 April), according to sources from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. This year, 87,100 pilgrims from Bangladesh are expected to perform Hajj, which, subject to the sighting of the moon, will take place on 5 June. Hajj flights are scheduled to begin on April 29. 'Labbayk' Mobile Application The 'Labbayk' app will be available for download from the Google Play Store via the following link:https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ooroh.labbayk.  After verifying their mobile number through a One-Time Password (OTP), users must set a 4-digit PIN. Registration requires the pilgrim’s mobile number, Pilgrim ID (PID), and date of birth. Pilgrims can also invite up to three family members to join the app, enabling them to access essential information about the pilgrim’s journey. Contracts with Hajj service providers must be ended by Feb 14: Adviser Khalid Family members can register using their mobile numbers once they receive an invitation. Guests (open to all) can also register separately. App’s Key Features Emergency Support: Pilgrims can press the SOS (Save Our Souls) button in emergencies, triggering a support team response. Prayer Times and Weather Updates: The app will display prayer schedules and weather forecasts. Flight Information: Details such as flight code, boarding time, departure and arrival times, and baggage allowance will be available. Location Tracking: Pilgrims can track their own and their group members’ locations on Google Maps. Accommodation Information: Hotel details, including names, addresses, distances, photos, videos, and check-in/check-out dates, will be accessible. Family Tracking: Family members can track pilgrims' locations. Tent Locations in Mina and Arafat: Location tracking will be available for tents. Prepaid Card Balance: Pilgrims can view their prepaid card balance. Health Services: Digital health profiles and 24/7 virtual health support will be provided, along with information about Bangladesh Medical Centres and Saudi hospitals. Group Communication: Pilgrims can communicate with their guides via the app. Religious Resources: The app offers a Quran and Hadith library, Qibla direction, digital Tasbih, and Hajj and Umrah guides. Sacrificial Coupon Centres and Historical Sites: Information on sacrificial coupon centres and historical places in Makkah and Madinah. Hajj Agency Information: Details including agency name, licence number, package details, and the ability to leave ratings and reviews. Hajj flights to start from April 29 Hajj Prepaid Card According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, pilgrims will no longer need to open separate accounts for prepaid cards, which are valid for five years and act as a cash substitute. Key Benefits Immediate card issuance and delivery without any charges or fees.A reduced transaction processing fee of 1%, down from 3%.Usable post-Hajj, allowing Bangladeshi Taka to be loaded and accessed as US Dollars or Saudi Riyals. Each pilgrim can load up to US$1,200, approximately Tk 1.5 lakh, onto the card. The card, featuring the Mastercard logo, can be used to withdraw Saudi Riyals at ATM booths and for POS (Point of Sale) payments. Balance reloads and refunds of unused funds are also supported. Issuance and Endorsement Procedure Pilgrims can collect their cards from any Islami Bank branch by presenting: Original passport or a photocopy,National ID card,Two passport-sized photos,Hajj visa copy,Active mobile number.For assistance, pilgrims can contact the domestic call centres at 16259 or 02-8331090, or the overseas WhatsApp numbers +8801844242646 and +8801813197915, and the international call centre at +880961016259. Roaming Facilities Special mobile roaming packages have been launched for Hajj 2025 by Grameenphone, Banglalink, and Robi. Pilgrims will be able to use their existing Bangladeshi SIM cards in Saudi Arabia without the need to purchase local SIMs. Officials from the Hajj Wing said the new roaming packages are more cost-effective than standard Saudi mobile operator rates. Pilgrims can purchase and activate packages ranging from 1 to 60 days through traditional payment gateways or mobile operator apps. Grameenphone offers six packages, Robi three and Banglalink five. Grameenphone’s packages activate immediately upon purchase, while Banglalink’s packages activate automatically upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. It should be noted that Banglalink postpaid users will not have roaming voice call privileges. Saudi Arabia bans children from accompanying Hajj pilgrims The ministry cautioned that if the exact recharge amount required for a package is not met, the package will not activate. For more details, pilgrims are advised to contact their respective mobile operators’ call centres or customer care services.

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.  

The hajj flights from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia will start from April 29 as the visa processing will be completed within a few days, said Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain. He said this at a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday. "This year, we have completed all formalities for 5,200 registered hajj pilgrims through the government, including allotment of tents in Mina and Arafah, agreement with catering service companies, agreement with home or hotel authorities, agreement with transport companies," he said. Saudi Arabia sets minimum age at 15 for Hajj pilgrims in 2025 Now the visa process is going on and it will be completed within a few days, he said. This year, 81,900 pilgrims have registered for performing Hajj through private agencies, the adviser said Due to the obligation of minimum pilgrims per Saudi government agency, these pilgrims registered under a total of 753 agencies will perform Hajj through 70 lead agencies.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has warned that administrative action may be taken against 124 agencies that do not have any pre-registered or primarily registered Hajj pilgrims for next year's Hajj activities. In a recent communication, the ministry issued letters to these 124 Hajj agencies regarding the issue. The notice referred to the official list of 891 Hajj agencies published for the 2025 Hajj season. As per condition 1(j) outlined in the list, any agency failing to register Hajj pilgrims without a valid reason may be subject to disciplinary action. Hajj aspirants asked to complete primary registration by Oct 23  The letter noted that the primary registration for Hajj 2025 began on September 1. However, among the approved Hajj agencies, 124 do not have any pre-registered or primarily registered Hajj pilgrims. In this situation, these 124 agencies have been requested to complete the pre-registration or primary registration of Hajj pilgrims immediately. Preliminary registration for Hajj 2025 will remain open until November 30, with the official Hajj packages set to be announced on October 30.

Saudi Ambassador Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan has said that he is taking initiative to provide visas for the hajj pilgrims who are yet to get their visas. The assurance came today during a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official residence, Ganabhaban. The visa initiative was a response to Prime Minister Hasina’s request to extend the visa approval timeframe, enabling the pilgrims to participate in the upcoming Hajj. More than 10,000 hajj pilgrims are yet to get visa from Saudi Arabia due to various complexities. PM’s speechwriter M Nazrul Islam briefed reporters after the meeting. During the discussion, the ambassador presented a list of projects Saudi investors aim to implement in Bangladesh. The PM said that Bangladesh will review these proposals carefully, emphasizing the need for thorough evaluation before moving forward. She assured that the concerned ministries and divisions will look into the matter. Read more: PM inaugurates Hajj programme-2024 The talks also touched on broader geopolitical issues, including support for Palestine. Prime Minister Hasina reiterated Bangladesh’s commitment to aiding the Palestinian people, mentioning recent consignments of assistance. “The whole world is with Palestine except the US and few of its allies,” she said. Furthermore, with nearly 32 lakh Bangladeshis residing in Saudi Arabia, contributing significantly to both nations’ economies, Hasina urged the Saudi government to encourage the use of legal channels for remittances. This effort aims to secure economic benefits for Bangladesh while maintaining strong bilateral ties. The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin, and PMO Secretary Mohammad Salauddin. Read more: Over 11,000 Hajj aspirants face visa uncertainty as deadline expires

As the deadline to apply for Hajj visas concluded last night, uncertainty looms for over 11,000 pilgrims from Bangladesh who have yet to secure their visas. This situation makes their participation uncertain in this year’s Hajj, scheduled for June 16, contingent on moon sighting. As of today, the latest figures revealed that 72,138 individuals had successfully obtained their Saudi visas, with an additional 259 currently in the visa printing process. However, this leaves precisely 11,167 applicants in limbo, with their chances of attending the Hajj in jeopardy unless the Saudi government grants another extension. In response to the crisis, Faridul Haq Khan, Minister of Religious Affairs, has formally requested a third extension from the Saudi authorities to accommodate the backlog. Echoing this sentiment, Md A Hamid Zamadder, Secretary to the ministry, expressed optimism last night, telling UNB, “We remain in constant communication with our counterparts in the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. We are hopeful for an extension in the visa application period.” Explore why boys lag behind girls in exams: PM Hasina says on SSC results Zamadder also noted that other countries, including India and Indonesia, are facing similar issues, which might influence Saudi Arabia to extend the visa deadline. Despite the government’s efforts, issues with local Hajj agencies have compounded the problem. These agencies have reportedly failed to secure accommodations in Saudi Arabia, a prerequisite for visa approval, leading to last-minute scrambles and heightened uncertainty. The agencies are now racing against time, trying to secure housing at lower rates, which has delayed visa processing. As of now, 11,017 Bangladeshi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, with a total of 85,257 expected to perform Hajj under both government and private management. Visitors on Hajj visa prohibited from traveling outside Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca: Saudi Ministry The first batch of pilgrims departed on May 9, with flights scheduled to continue until June 10. Upon completion of Hajj, return flights are slated from June 20 through July 22. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the remaining applicants can fulfill their spiritual journey, as the ministry awaits a definitive response on the visa extension issue, expected by Monday.

Saudi Arabia has clarified its new policy, introducing travel restrictions for Hajj pilgrims — confining their movements exclusively to Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that individuals visiting Saudi Arabia on a Hajj visa are prohibited from traveling outside these three cities. The visa is designed solely for pilgrimage purposes and does not permit holders to engage in work, seek residency, or travel beyond Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca. Hajj packages for 2024 to be cheaper Violations of these restrictions could result in severe penalties, including deportation and a potential ban on future Hajj participation, according to a Gulf News report. Furthermore, the Ministry clarified that all international visitors, except those from GCC countries who do not require a Hajj permit, must secure a Hajj visa through the official channels. To streamline the application process, the Ministry's website now facilitates electronic registration for the Hajj visa via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' visa platform. Applicants are required to log in, select the required service, and follow detailed instructions for document submission. Bangladeshis can perform Umrah with transit visa: Saudi Hajj Minister The deadline for Hajj visa applications is set for the 7th of Dhu Al Hijjah, or until the designated quota of pilgrims is met. Processing typically takes up to three working days, and applicants are urged to apply early to adhere to all regulatory requirements.