The government will strictly monitor Hajj pilgrims from 2026 onwards, and individuals with serious health conditions will not be permitted to undertake the pilgrimage, a senior religious adviser stated on Thursday.
He emphasized that travel agencies should not register physically unfit applicants and that pilgrims lacking the necessary fitness, as verified in consultation with the Hajj authorities, will be denied participation.
The remarks were made during the inauguration of the “Hajj and Umrah Fair” at the China-Bangladesh Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka. The fair, which began Thursday morning, will continue until Saturday evening.
The adviser also noted that efforts are underway to reduce airfares for Hajj pilgrims, adding that discussions with airlines are planned to achieve this goal.
Addressing corruption concerns, he warned that strict action would be taken against any Ministry of Religious Affairs officials found involved in financial misconduct with Hajj agencies.
He stated that any officer or employee accepting bribes in relation to Hajj or Umrah activities would face the harshest punishment.
Furthermore, the adviser criticized some agencies and individuals for tarnishing the reputation of the Hajj process, noting that the government is considering removing inactive or negligent agencies from the program.
