A Bangladeshi aspiring Haji will have to pay Tk 59,000 in addition to the regular Hajj package fees as the government has decided to increase the cost of performing the hajj this year.
However, the amount needs to be paid by 30 May for embarking on a hajj trip.
The authorities have raised the expenses of Hajj, due to the rise in essential costs in Saudi Arabia.
State minister for religious affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan made the disclosure at a press briefing at the secretariat on Thursday.
The new rate for the government’s package-1 is fixed at Tk 586,340, which was earlier Tk 5,27,340 and package-2 will cost Tk 521,150 per person, which was earlier Tk 4,62,150.
On the other hand, a minimum cost of Tk 5,22,744 for performing Hajj under private agencies, meaning that he/she will have to pay Tk 1,68,150 more compared to the fees paid in 2020.
Besides, every pilgrim would have to pay an additional Tk 19,683 for qurbani (sacrificing animals) coupon from the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia.
Earlier on May 12, HAAB – a platform of around 1,500 Hajj agencies – announced the rate of minimum Hajj package at Tk 4,63,744.
The state minister said that they were forced to make the decision for the Hajj package as Saudi authorities recently informed Bangladesh of the increased moallem fees and other expenses.
The state minister said that they received detailed information on expenses from the Saudi authorities on Wednesday. Later, the government adjusted the hajj cost here keeping a compassionate attitude towards the aspirant pilgrims.
Hajj, the largest mass gathering of Muslims across the world, is scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia on 8 July, subject to the sighting of the moon.
After two years of pandemic closure, 57,585 Bangladeshis will be able to make the Hajj pilgrimage this year. Of this group, 4,000 will go through government arrangements, while 53,585 will go through private agencies.