Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has directed the establishment of a "Hajj Management Center" to provide round-the-clock support for Hajj pilgrims, ensuring a smooth, organized, and safe pilgrimage experience. He issued this directive on Tuesday afternoon during a meeting of the National Committee on Hajj Management at the state guesthouse, Jamuna.

The Chief Adviser emphasized the importance of utilizing this opportunity given by Allah to facilitate the holy pilgrimage in the best possible manner. He stated that every effort must be made to ensure that no pilgrim faces any form of hardship or inconvenience.

Currently, there are 1,275 licensed Hajj agencies in the country, out of which 941 are qualified for Hajj operations, 753 are authorized to register pilgrims, and 70 are designated as lead agencies. The Chief Adviser instructed that the responsibilities of these agencies be clearly documented and published both in booklet form and online to ensure transparency.

He stressed that the government's role is to oversee and ensure that all agencies fulfill their duties properly. He warned that strict actions would be taken against any agency failing to perform its responsibilities. The entire Hajj process, he insisted, must be simple and well-defined, with clear distinctions between the roles of the government and the agencies.

The Chief Adviser also directed that a comprehensive guide should be prepared to assist pilgrims in case of emergencies, such as getting lost, falling ill, or losing luggage. This guide must be distributed to every pilgrim, with special attention given to the needs of women and children.

He further announced that a Hajj Management Center should be established in the country to provide continuous monitoring and assistance. Complaints received through call centers must be addressed in real-time, and a dedicated website should be developed where pilgrims can submit their concerns. He suggested that this platform could also help locate lost pilgrims by tracking their locations.

To improve future Hajj operations, the Chief Adviser directed officials to monitor and categorize the types of complaints received by the call center. He stressed that records must be maintained on the number of resolved and unresolved complaints, and corrective measures should be taken to prevent recurring issues in subsequent years.

Additionally, he instructed that any agency failing to meet its responsibilities should have its license revoked. He proposed that agencies be reviewed based on pilgrim feedback and categorized into ‘A,’ ‘B,’ ‘C,’ and ‘D’ grades based on staff training and service quality. Agencies that fail to meet the required standards will have their licenses canceled.

To further educate and prepare pilgrims, the Chief Adviser directed the production of problem-solving instructional videos. These videos should cover topics such as what to do in case of illness, how to handle getting lost, and the correct procedures for performing sacrifices. He emphasized that such visual aids would help boost the confidence and preparedness of pilgrims.

The Chief Adviser also suggested introducing a Hajj credit card system from the following year to reduce financial hassles for pilgrims. He explained that any remaining funds on the card after returning home could be refunded in cash. Additionally, to address frequent cases of lost luggage, he proposed that copies of luggage tags be stored at the management center for better tracking.

This year, 5,200 pilgrims have registered under the government-managed Hajj program, while 81,900 have registered through private agencies. The government has decided not to sponsor any Hajj travelers at state expense this year.

The meeting was attended by Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, along with secretaries from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Public Administration, Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Housing and Public Works, Ministry of Finance, Health Services Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, as well as the Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser and other relevant officials.