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Hajj package cost cut, reg time extended


Published : 22 Mar 2023 10:09 PM

The government has reduced the expenses of the Hajj package by Taka 11,725 and also extended the Hajj registration deadline to Mar 27 in a bid to fulfil the quota for the annual pilgrimage to Mekkah.

Deputy Secretary of Hajj-1 branch of the Religious Affairs Ministry Abul Kashem Mohammad Shaheen gave this information on Wednesday. 

He said that Saudi Arabia has reduced the cost of tents of 'A', 'B', 'C' and 'D' categories of Minaret by 413 Saudi Riyals for all countries of the world including Bangladesh. In Bangladeshi currency the Saudi currency amount when converted totals Tk 11725. Those who have already registered as per the previous fee, this amount will be refunded along with the meal fee.

An emergency notification, published on this occasion, said that many people have expressed interest in going to Hajj again due to the reduction in package prices and no age limit for Hajj pilgrims. 

As a result, the registration deadline for the modified package has been extended till March 27.

It should be noted that the registration process of pilgrims started from last February 23. Due to non-fulfillment of the quota, the registration period was extended for the fourth time. Although Tuesday (March 21) was the last day of the fourth round of Hajj registration, the Ministry of Religion did not get the desired response.

According to Hajj registration portal, 11,604 people are still left to register. Of these, 5,173 are officially registered and 6,431 are left to register for Hajj under private management.

According to the Ministry of Religion's Hajj pre-registration system, 249,224 people who intend to go to Hajj in 2023 have pre-registered. Among them, 8 thousand 391 people were pre-registered under the government management. While, 2 lakh 40 thousand 833 people pre-registered in private management.

From May 21, the first flight with pilgrims will leave for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A flight number BG 3001 will leave Dhaka from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on May 21 with pilgrims. 

Besides, Bangladesh Biman will operate a total of 160 dedicated flights in pre-Hajj flights this year. Biman's pre-Hajj flight will end on June 22. 

According to the Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia, 1,27,198 people from Bangladesh will be able to perform Hajj this year. Out of this, 15,000 people will get a chance to perform Hajj under government management and the remaining 1,12,198 people will get a chance to perform Hajj under private management.