Online Desk:  Describing Islam as a religion of peace, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday asked the people not to do anything that goes against the religious sentiments.

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

The premier said this while opening the hajj programme 2024 (1445 hijri) in the capital’s Ashkona area. The first hajj flight is scheduled to depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

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

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

The PM said the people of all religions would continue to enjoy equal rights to follow their respective religion in the country.

She asked the pilgrims to pray for Bangladesh and its people while performing the holy hajj.

This year, a total of 85,257 pilgrims from Bangladesh are going to perform the holy hajj. Of them, 4,562 pilgrims will perform hajj under the government management, while 80, 695 pilgrims under the private management.

The prime minister also exchanged greetings with the hajj pilgrims here at the Hajj camp in Ashkona.

The hajj flights will be operated from May 09 to June 10. The dedicated hajj flights will also be operated from Chattogram and Sylhet airports landing in Jeddah and Medina airports.

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.

The hajj is expected to be held on June 15, subject to the sighting of the moon.

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 Religious Affairs Ministry Mohammad Huchamuddin Chowdhury, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan and president of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) Shahadat Hossain Taslim also spoke on the occasion.

Religious Affairs Minister Md Faridul Haque Khan presided over the inaugural function, while Religious Affairs Secretary Md A Hamid Zamadder delivered the welcome speech.