DHAKA, July 11, 2018 (BSS)-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated
the Hajj Program of 2018 (1439 Hijri) urging everybody to remain careful of
stopping spreading confusion about Islam.
“We must keep religion above all in every sphere of our life and we have to
uphold the main teachings of Islam before the people,” she said.
The prime minister said Islam is the only religion which preaches mostly
for peace and welfare of the people. But some people are out to interpret the
teachings of the religion in a different way, causing problem to whole Muslim
community across the world, she said.
Minister for Religious Affairs Matiur Rahman presided over the inauguration
of the Hajj Program of 2018 (1439 Hijri) at Ashkona Hajj Camp here today.
Sheikh Hasina said since her return to home in 1981 from exile she has
been making constant efforts for welfare of the people and materialize the
dream of Bangabandhu to build a poverty and hunger free country.
Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism AKM Shajahan Kamal, chairman of
the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Religious Affairs Bazlul
Haque Harun, Sahara Khatun, MP, Charge-d’ Affaires of Saudi embassy in Dhaka
Amir Omar Salem were present as special guests.
Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Anisur Rahman gave welcome
address and senior Pesh Imam of Baitul Mokarram Mosque Moulana Mizanur Rahman
conducted the prayers.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina exchanged pleasantries with the pilgrims and
wished their safe return after performing all the Hajj rituals.
The prime minister requested the Hajjis to offer prayers for Father of the
Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, his family members and others who
were brutally killed on the fateful night of August 15, 1975.
Sheikh Hasina said after independence Bangabandhu had taken a unique
arrangement for sending the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia for performing Hajj on
sea route by Hijbul Bahar as well as on air route.
Though, Saudi Arabia didn’t give recognition to Bangladesh at that time,
but they liked Bangabandhu and Bangladesh’s first Hajj mission began at his
request.
Sheikh Hasina said her government is trying its best to resolve the
problems relating to Hajj management system saying the situation was better
in the last few years.
“I myself wrote to Saudi King many times requesting him to look into those
difficulties,” she said adding that the Saudi government took many measures
in response to those requests to facilitate the pilgrims.
Pointing out the relations between Bangladesh and other Muslim countries,
the prime minister said Bangladesh became a member of the OIC during the
tenure of Bangabandhu.
Bangabandhu established the Madrasa Education Board and prohibited wine,
gambling and horserace and introduced the provision of Azan in the state
media.
The present government is following the footstep of Bangabandhu, she said
adding that the government has shifted the Hajj Office to Mecca from Jeddah
and hired a plaza in the terminal for convenience of the pilgrims.
Six aircraft for the national flag carrier were procured for transportation
of the pilgrims while two more will join the fleet very soon, she said urging
the Hajjis to follow the instructions mentioned in the booklet during their
stay in Saudi Arabia for their safety and convenience.
A total of 1,26,798 Muslims from Bangladesh would perform Hajj this year
including 6,798 under government management and first flight of pilgrims is
scheduled to leave Dhaka Saturday next.