Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain. File Photo

CHATTOGRAM, April 12, 2025 (BSS) - None other than the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) to be involved in Hajj management will be allowed for performing Hajj by state expense this year.

“This is a record breaking decision as we are still strict on the decision by turning down all pressure,” Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain made the remarks while briefing newsmen after a function here today.  

Muslim Nikah Register Forum arranged the views exchange meeting at Kamrul Islam Siddiqui Auditorium at LGED Bhaban in the city.

Speaking at the meeting as the chief guest, Dr. Khalid also said that “dowry is a social curse. So, demanding or taking dowry is same criminal offence”.

The adviser called upon all including religious leaders, Imam and Khatib of mosques, marriage registers to motivate and aware people against dowry culture.

Regarding this year’s Hajj policy and Hajj management, he said in accordance with the high level government decision, his ministry will not take bigger number of officials from the MoRA like in the past.  

 “This year we will send only those who are related with hajj management and those who went last year with hajj mission, will not be able to go this time” the adviser pointed out.  

 The adviser said, “The ministry has brought significant changes in the hajj management for 2025. Already, 54 of our licensed agencies have collected hajj pilgrims. According to the rules of the Saudi government, an agency has to collect 2,000 Hajj pilgrims. I have discussed this with the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah and reduced it to 1,000".  

He said a total of 70 lead agencies have been enlisted and they are allowed to send 87,000 pilgrims under private management while 5,200 pilgrims will go under government management.

The religious advisor said his ministry has already formed various monitoring and administrative teams ahead of the Hajj.

 He said the government is taking 200 doctors, nurse-technologists and medicines worth TK about one crore to provide treatment to Hajj pilgrims. In this connection, he said the government has already signed agreements with several specialized hospitals for providing necessary treatment to the hajj pilgrims.

The advisor asked the marriage registers to comply with the rule and regulations and stop collecting excess fees.

He also requested them to keep the Bangladesh Muslim Nikah Registrar Forum above all politics so that their members could serve the people fairly and impartially.

Forum President Kazi Syed Muhammad Abu Syed presided over the function while Additional District Magistrate Syed Mahbubul Haque and LGED Executive Engineer (Ctg Region) Mohammad Hasan Ali, among others, addressed the function.