The practice of syndicates controlling ticket sales for Hajj and Umrah flights will no longer be tolerated, said A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, Adviser to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
He made it clear that group ticket bookings at inflated prices will be stopped, and any attempt to manipulate ticket prices by syndicates will be strictly dealt with.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the District Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center in Cox`s Bazar on Friday, the religious advisor highlighted a significant change in the way tickets for Hajj and Umrah are sold.
“From now on, tickets must be booked using the passenger’s passport number, and if not issued within three days, they will automatically be canceled,” he said, referring to a move designed to prevent ticket hoarding and resale at excessive prices.
He also expressed his hope that the newly inaugurated mosque would further strengthen the existing sense of harmony in Cox’s Bazar. He praised the district for its long-standing atmosphere of peace and brotherhood, saying,
“There has been no communal disorder or misunderstandings here for years, and I believe that through this mosque, a message of unity will spread even further.”
The District Model Mosque, which can accommodate up to 1,100 men for prayers at a time, was officially opened by the religious affairs advisor, who led the Jummah prayer following the ceremony.
The mosque is equipped with facilities for women and individuals with physical or visual disabilities, including separate ablution areas and prayer spaces.
Constructed at a cost of BDT 191.9 million, the mosque also features a variety of modern amenities, such as a conference room, auditorium, library, parking facilities, and arrangements for washing the deceased.
It includes provisions for Quran education, imam training, and also serves as the local office for the Islamic Foundation.
“The days of syndicates exploiting ticket prices are over,” the advisor warned, indicating that anyone trying to inflate ticket costs for Hajj or Umrah will face consequences.
"Booking group tickets and then hiking the prices two or three times will no longer be accepted," he emphasized, making it clear that these measures are part of a larger effort to ensure fairness and transparency in Hajj and Umrah travel arrangements.
With this strong message, the government has taken a decisive step to make religious journeys more accessible to all, ensuring that no traveler is exploited by unfair practices in the future.
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