Staff Reporter :
The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has threatened to go on strike unless the government reconsiders its decision to mandate a minimum of 1,000 pilgrims for forming a lead agency for the upcoming Hajj.
HAAB, the apex body of Hajj agency owners, issued the warning during a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium on Thursday.
Dr. Mohammad Faruk, the founding president of HAAB, expressed concern over the government’s decision, stating that it would create significant challenges for managing the upcoming Hajj.
He suggested that the government could reduce the quota allocated by Saudi Arabia or address the concerns of smaller agency owners without increasing the minimum requirement from 500 to 1,000 pilgrims for forming a lead agency.
“The current system, which requires 500 pilgrims to create a lead agency, has been running for years and should continue,” said Dr. Faruk.
Recently, the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued a letter instructing Hajj agencies to form lead agencies with a minimum of 1,000 pilgrims.
Dr. Faruk criticized the government for its “lack of experience” and accused it of failing to prioritize the welfare of both agency owners and pilgrims.
HAAB leaders, including President Sardar Faruque Ahmed, Secretary General Farid Ahmed Mozumder, and former presidents Abdus Sakur, Ibrahim Bahar, and Jamal Uddin, along with other senior members, were present at the press conference.
The association urged the government to reconsider the decision to prevent disruptions in Hajj preparations.
