DHAKA, April 10, 2026 (BSS) - The Ministry of Religious Affairs has urged the Hajj pilgrims to refrain from carrying narcotics, tobacco leaves and other prohibited items, warning them not to do so under the influence of Hajj agencies or any other parties.

The Hajj Wing of the Ministry of Religious Affairs issued the warning through a press release today.

The press release said that under Saudi laws, Hajj pilgrims are prohibited from carrying narcotic drugs, tobacco leaves, jarda, gul, betel leaves, dried fish, cooked food and other perishable items in their luggage. The matter has also been mentioned in the 2026 Hajj package and guidelines of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) said that in the recent years, prohibited items have been found in the luggage of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims at Saudi airports on several occasions. 

Despite repeated warnings from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, such incidents persist, damaging the country's image, he said and urged pilgrims to exercise caution in this regard.

Secretary of the ministry, Munshi Alauddin Al Azad said that if prohibited items are found in a pilgrim's luggage in Saudi Arabia, legal action is taken under local laws. This may jeopardise the pilgrim's Hajj, and they may even be denied the opportunity to perform it. He stressed that no prohibited items should be carried under any circumstances.

A total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh will perform Hajj this year. The pilgrims will start departing for Saudi Arabia from April 18.