United News of Bangladesh

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has cancelled the registration certificate of a Hajj agency for failing to send pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for Hajj and then delaying refund of their money while intimidating complainants. According to an official gazette notification, the license of Salam Abad Travels (Hajj License No. 1447), based in Jamalpur, has been revoked under the Hajj and Umrah Management Act, 2021 for violating several provisions of the law and committing misconduct. The ministry said six individuals from Islampur in Jamalpur, including one Md Nuruzzaman, had filed complaints alleging that they paid a total of Tk 26.18 lakh to the agency’s representative, Syed Abu Talha, son of the owner, to perform Hajj in 2024. However, the agency failed to send them. Over 1.5 million international pilgrims arrive in Saudi Arabia for Hajj When the pilgrims asked for a refund, Talha repeatedly delayed repayment and even threatened the complainants. Following local arbitration, he refunded Tk 7.74 lakh on July 31 last year. Failing to recover the remaining amount, the victims submitted a formal complaint to the Religious Affairs Secretary on November 21. Subsequently, on December 1, the additional secretary (Hajj) held a hearing with both parties. During the hearing, Talha pledged to repay the remaining amount by January 30, 2025, and signed a written settlement. In line with the agreement, he paid an additional Tk 5 lakh in the second installment, the gazette noted. However, as of the deadline, Talha had only returned Tk 12.74 lakh out of Tk 26.18 lakh, leaving Tk 13.44 lakh unpaid. The complainants submitted another complaint on June 18 this year to the Religious Affairs Secretary. A second hearing was held on June 29 where both parties were notified. The ministry concluded that Salam Abad Travels collected money from intending pilgrims without sending them for Hajj, failed to return the full amount, issued threats, and breached the written agreement – all of which constitute serious violations of the Hajj and Umrah Management Act, 2021, specifically clauses 12(b), 12(j), 12(t), and 12(1). Citing these violations, the ministry cancelled the agency’s license under section 13(1) of the Act. It also ordered payment of the remaining Tk 13.44 lakh to the six affected individuals within 30 working days. If the agency fails to make the payment within the stipulated time, the ministry will compensate the victims from the agency’s security deposit, as per section 13(5) of the Act. Additionally, in line with section 13(6), the ministry directed that if any other pilgrims were pre-registered with Salam Abad Travels, they be transferred to agencies of their choice. The decision aims to uphold accountability in Hajj operations and ensure justice for affected pilgrims.  

The registration process for this year's Hajj will start from May 16, the ministry of religious affairs has said. Pilgrims, who want to perform the holy Hajj in Saudi Arabia, after a Covid-induced hiatus of two years, will have to complete the registration process by May 18, which is also the payment deadline. Also read: HAAB announces private Hajj package for 2022, Minimum cost fixed at 4,63,000 Pilgrims need to possess a passport with at least seven months validity (till January 4, 2023) for completing the registration process, the ministry said. If a pilgrim is unable to go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj post-registration, he will be refunded the plane fare and the cost allocated for food. However, if any Haji cancels his trip after confirmation of the plane ticket, he will not get back the airfare. Also read: Hajj pilgrims must submit Covid-negative report before journey Each pilgrim will have to carry an additional 810 Saudi Riyal with them for sacrificial purposes, according to the ministry.