Religious Affairs Secretary Anisur Rahman today called upon the 44 Hajj agencies in the country to ensure tickets for the aspirant Hajj pilgrims by August 2.

Ensure tickets for Hajj pilgrims in time in order to complete the procedures of renting houses in Saudi Arabia and food catering during their stay there, the secretary said in a meeting with Hajj agencies.  

Mentioning that the Saudi government has toughened the rules and regulations regarding Hajj this time, he also urged the flights of Biman and Saudi Airlines to leave on time.  

The last flights of Biman and Saudi Airlines are scheduled to leave Dhaka on August 15 and August 17 respectively.

“No one will be able to leave for Hajj beyond that time," he added.

He expressed hope that there will be no problem with tickets this time.

The secretary, however, expressed concern over the accommodation, visa number and catering of the hajjis.

Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (Haab) President Abdus Sobhan Bhuiyan urged the secretary to increase the rate of pilgrims’ replacement for ticket confirmation.

However, the secretary said the government has no plan of raising the pilgrims’ replacement rate for now.

According to the existing policy, four percent pilgrim replacement is possible.

The Hajj is scheduled to be held on August 21, subject to sighting of moon.

Current year, a total of 1,26,198 Bangladeshis are scheduled to perform Hajj under government and private managements.

The Hajj bound flights started operating from July 14.