Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain announced on Friday that air ticket syndicates for Umrah has been disbanded.
"The practice of selling tickets at inflated prices through group bookings by syndicates has been stopped," he said while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the District Model Mosque and Islamic Cultural Center in Cox’s Bazar.
The adviser said that tickets must now be booked using the passport number of the respective passenger.
If a ticket is not issued within three days, the booking will automatically be canceled, he said.
This move aims to eliminate the practice of booking group tickets and inflating prices by double or triple, he added.
He said: "A policy has been put in place to address this issue."
The adviser also emphasized the long-standing atmosphere of harmony in Cox’s Bazar, noting that there has been no communal unrest or misunderstandings in the area.
He expressed hope that the spirit of brotherhood would be further strengthened through the newly inaugurated mosque.
The model mosque can accommodate 1,100 men for prayers at a time.
It also features separate ablution and prayer facilities for women and individuals with physical or visual impairments.
Additional amenities include car parking, a bathing area for the deceased, a conference room, an auditorium, a Quran education system, an Islamic Foundation office, a library, and an Imam training centre.
The event, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Salahuddin, was attended by officials from both government and private sectors, including Shahidul Alam, project director of the Model Mosque Project.
