NN: You are involved with the largest rituals of Muslim world for a long and also lead the association for the last three tenures. Please say something about the Hajj agency business in Bangladesh.
Bahar: Actually, HABB is a registered Organization under the Ministry of Commerce and received the approval from Religious Ministry for agencies.
We have the responsibility to protect interests of pilgrims based on the law of the land. The sector insiders are performing their duties well under the government’s following the association’s strict monitoring. Due to some policy barriers and dishonesty of some of our fellow colleagues, we cannot say that no unethical activities are happening regarding sending pilgrims.
NN: How many agencies are there in the country and how many of them got membership of HAAB?
Bahar: The numbers of our members are around 1,300, but the numbers of licenses are more than 1400.
NN: Can all of them do business?
Bahar : No, many of our members cannot do business every year as issued hajj licenses are almost three times higher than that of the necessity. Look, around one lac Bangladeshis perform hajj every year and the agencies have the legal bindings to send at least 150 hajjis in a year. So, according to the rules, only 483 agencies would be able to comply with it. Can you say what the other 917agencies would do?
NN: What is the situation of these 917 agency owners? How do they survive?
Bahar: Owners of these agencies are in really disastrous situation, as they cannot do business despite investing huge amount of money. Each of the company needs to deposit nearly Tk 2 million as security, bears office costs, needs to spend money for coordination with the Saudi Arabian companies and some other hidden expenditure, which collectively comes to around Tk 10 million. So, after spending such a large amount of money, if any one fails to get business then what might be his or her situation can easily be imagined.
Too many licenses lead to unhealthy competition among the owners. Failing to have hajjis, some of the agency owners appoint agents in rural areas to collect clients where we cannot monitor and the main unlawful activities happen here.
NN: Have you made any recommendation to the government to bring the situation under control ?
Bahar: Yes, We have proposed the government to formulate a policy based on our reality rather than depending on the Saudi Hajj Policy. Presently, all the agencies across the globe follow the Saudi Hajj Policy. But in reality, our situation is different, so we need our own policy. The immediate action on the issue is very need to bring all the activities under control.
NN: There are allegations against the Hajj Agency owners of human trafficking in the name of Hajj. Do you agree with it?
Bahar: In some extent it was true. But due to our strict monitoring and punitive measures against the culprits, the situation has now come down to almost zero level.
We have held up around 35 memberships due to their unfair activities and the government according to our recommendations cancelled almost all of those licenses.
Besides, Saudi authorities are also partially responsible for the human trafficking, as they do not follow all the procedures. There is provision that all the passports to be kept with the Saudi authorities, but they do not follow it. If they release passports in exchange of money then what can we do? Only because of our vigorous effort, human trafficking come down. But we are not sure, how long we would be able to tackle the situation by our own.
NN: As per the rules, each agency is eligible to operate a license. But in many cases, some agencies are doing business taking lease of others’ license. What is your position in this regard?
Bahar: We are very much strict in such practices. License is not a land property that can be rented or leased to other. The agencies that send Hajjis leasing others’ license serve lower quality of service. In such cases, if occurrence happens, then responsibility goes to the main owner, lease holder will not be accused for the allegations.
NN: What is the obstacle to implement a unique system for this?
Bahar: There is no barrier. Only a single direction of the concern ministry is quite enough. If there is such a point that the license is hired or lease, a handsome figure would be fined.
NN: What is the rule of HAAB in this regard?
Bahar: We have some limitations in this regard. The HAAB does not have any judicial power. If anyone found guilty, his/her membership can be suspended.
NN: What is your plan to restore the image of HAAB?
Bahar: After introducing e-Hajj system, unfair activities almost come down to zero level. So the image of HAAB is now enviable. What we need is to create public awareness.
NN: HAAB leaders and some agencies alleged against the distribution of Guide quota. Do you agree?
Bahar: It is distributed in accordance with the quota rules set jointly by the government of Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh. So, there is no scope to complaint in this regard.
NN: Thank you.
Bahar: Thank you too.
Our Staff Reporter Kamruzzaman Bablu has taken the interview.
