DHAKA, Nov 24, 2024 (BSS) - Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today said the interim government is firmly committed to safeguarding the best interests of Hajj pilgrims.
 
"The government is firmly committed to protecting the best interests of the Hajj pilgrims," the adviser told the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Bangladesh Issa bin Youssef Al-Duhailan as he paid a courtesy call on
him at his secretariat office here.
 
Noting that the ministry of religious affairs is working relentlessly towards its goal, the religious advisor assured that under the current interim government, the Hajj management will be more orderly and improved than that of the previous.
 
"Due to the government's pragmatic steps, the airfare for the hajj pilgrims has reduced by about Taka 27,000 this year . . . . in addition, necessary initiatives have been taken to strengthen the registration process of the Hajj pilgrims," he mentioned.
 
During a brief meeting, the religious adviser also sought all necessary cooperation of the Saudi ambassador to ease issuing of Moazzem visas and fixing the number of Hajj pilgrims for each Hajj Agency at 250 individuals.
 
Besides, various aspects of strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, including Hajj pilgrims transport, Makkah service routes, establishment of the Arabic Language Institute in Dhaka and setting up of eight iconic mosques in Bangladesh, also dominated the discussion there.
 
Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, Additional Secretary of the Hajj Division Md Matiul Islam and Joint Secretary Dr Manjurul Haque, among others, were present.