“Today, if all the Muslim countries worked together making an alliance, it would have been easier to attain better position for the Muslims including reducing misery of the Palestinians,” she said.

The premier inaugurated the Hajj programme at a function at the Hajj Camp in city’s Ashkuna area as the chief guest.

“We could have further advanced if Muslim countries of the world worked unitedly,” she said as she mentioned herself “the only sister” (head of government) among the OIC member countries.

Sheikh Hasina said, “I told them (head of states and governments) that I am the only sister. I am asking everyone to reach a consensus and speak up so this kind of unfair injustice doesn’t happen to us again.”

Highlighting the miseries of the Muslims in Palestine, she said genocide is being carried out there where no children, women or men were spared.

“But, I am protesting it wherever I get a chance. . . .Palestine will get more land in Gaza. It is their right. No one can take away this right. So, that right should be given to them,” she said.

The premier also urged the Hajj pilgrims to pray for them.

Describing Islam as a religion of peace, Sheikh Hasina called for not doing anything that goes against the religious sentiment.

“No one should do anything – like engaging in alcohol addiction, gambling, corruption, terrorism and militancy — that hurts our religious sentiment,” she said.

She also said Islam is a sacred religion that ensured the rights of the people of all classes.

“It is very unfortunate that a quarter of people earn a bad name for Islam by militancy. I always protest it,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said the people of all religions would continuously enjoy equal rights to follow their respective religious rituals in the country.

She also asked the Hajj pilgrims to pray for Bangladesh and its people while performing the holy hajj, saying, “Pray for Bangladesh, pray for the people of Bangladesh, and also pray for the Muslim Ummah all over the world.”

Referring to the implementation of e-Hajj management, the premier said, “We have made Digital Bangladesh. Our future goal is to build a ‘smart Bangladesh'”.

“After making Smart Bangladesh, no one have to suffer with anything. Just get on the plane and leave (for destination) by doing all the work at home. We are doing that kind of arrangement,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said they take measures to improve Hajj management every time and the Saudi government is always supporting to Bangladesh in this work.

She extended her thanks to the Saudi government, especially the king and the prime minister, because they have always solved the problems on Hajj.

The prime minister said her government is constructing a model mosque in every upazila where training will be given to Hajjis and their service providers about Hajj and service.

In addition, all information about Hajj, its registration and other management will be made available in these mosques, she said.

“So there will not be much need to stay in Hajj camp. You can do everything at home. Everything will become easier. We are making that arrangement,” she added.

The premier also exchanged greetings with the (Hajji) Hajj pilgrims after opening the Hajj programme.

The hajj flight carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims will start from Dhaka tomorrow.

The first hajj flight (BG-3301) is scheduled to leave Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 7:20am for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, carrying 419 pilgrims.

With Religious Affairs Minister Md. Faridul Haque Khan in the chair, Secretary of the Ministry Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome address at the Hajj programme opening function.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqul Islam, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Religious Affairs Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Saudi Arabia Ambassador to Bangladesh Essa Youssef Essa Al Duhailan, and Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) President M Shahadat Hossain Taslim also spoke.

Two pilgrims, as well, expressed their feelings and satisfaction over the Hajj management, and lauded Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for digitisation of Hajj activities.

An audio-visual documentary on Hajj activities was screened on the ceremony.

Bangladesh is the fourth largest pilgrims sending country in the world. As per the arrangement, Bangladeshi pilgrims will complete immigration process of the two countries (Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia) in Dhaka which will help them escape immigration process in Jeddah.

Under Road-to-Makkhah initiative, hajj pilgrims will get luggage services, meaning the luggage will be sent to the pilgrims’ hotel or their other accommodation in Makkah and Madinah.

According to the flight schedule, the national flag carrier will operate 117 pre-hajj flights between May 9 and June 10 to carry a total of 45,525 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia while Saudi Arabian airlines Flynas will operate 43 pre-hajj flights between May and June 12 to carry rest of the pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is scheduled to start operating return hajj flight on June 20 from Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh while Flynas will start post-hajj flight between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh on June 21.

BSS.