This year, the government is launching a modern technology-based mobile app called ‘Labbayk’ for Hajj pilgrims.
At the same time, a Hajj prepaid card and international roaming facilities are also being introduced.
These initiatives have been taken to make the Hajj journey easier and smoother, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
On Monday 4 PM, Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus will officially inaugurate these services at his residence, ‘Jamuna’. Multiple sources from the Ministry of Religious Affairs have confirmed this information.
Mamun Al Faruk, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, told the media that Bangladeshi pilgrims often face various problems while performing Hajj.
The ‘Labbayk’ app is being launched to address these issues. Additionally, Hajj prepaid cards and mobile roaming facilities have also been included.
Depending on the sighting of the moon, the holy Hajj will be held on June 5 this year. A total of 87,100 pilgrims from Bangladesh are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia. Hajj flights will start from April 29.
Features of the ‘Labbayk’ App
The app will be available for download from the Google Play Store. After OTP verification during registration, users will need to set a four-digit PIN. To register, a pilgrim’s mobile number, PID (Pilgrim ID), and date of birth will be required. Each pilgrim can add up to three family members to the app.
Family members can register using their mobile numbers to receive real-time updates about the pilgrim. It is also possible to register as a guest user, making the app accessible to everyone.
Key Benefits of the App
If a pilgrim gets lost, falls ill, or encounters any emergency, they can quickly seek help by clicking the SOS button. Other features include prayer times, weather forecasts, detailed flight information, luggage tracking, accommodation details, and the ability to track group members' locations through Google Maps.
Daily Hajj schedules, hotel details, tent locations in Mina, prepaid card balance, health information, Hajj agency ratings and reviews, a list of Qurbani coupon collection centers, Quran and Hadith libraries, Qibla direction, and a digital Tasbih feature are also included in the app.
Officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs believe that the use of this app will bring a new dimension to Hajj management.
Hajj Prepaid Card
To make financial transactions easier for pilgrims, the ‘Hajj Prepaid Card’ is being introduced. The card will be valid for five years, and no account opening is required. There will be no charges or fees for issuing the card. Moreover, the transaction fee has been reduced to 1%, which was previously 3%.
During Hajj, pilgrims can load Bangladeshi Taka onto the card and withdraw Saudi Riyal or US Dollars. A maximum of USD 1,200 (approximately BDT 150,000) can be loaded onto each card. Cash can be withdrawn from any ATM booth in Saudi Arabia bearing the MasterCard logo, and direct payments can be made at POS machines.
Pilgrims can obtain and endorse dollars by submitting a passport, national ID, photo, and a copy of the Hajj visa at any branch of Islami Bank. Call centers have also been arranged for both domestic and international support if needed.
Roaming Facilities
Mobile operators 'Grameenphone', 'Robi', and 'Banglalink' have launched special roaming packages for Hajj pilgrims. With these packages, pilgrims won’t need to buy a separate SIM in Saudi Arabia. They can easily make calls and send messages using their existing mobile numbers.
The roaming packages are priced comparatively lower. Pilgrims can purchase packages valid for between 1 and 60 days. Grameenphone’s package will be activated immediately, while Banglalink’s package will activate upon arrival in Saudi Arabia. However, Banglalink’s postpaid users will not have access to roaming voice call services.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has informed that if the recharge amount is less or more than the specified price, the roaming package will not activate. It is advised to contact the customer care of the respective operators for detailed information.
