Govt sets hajj cost at Tk 6.83 lakh

Bangladeshi pilgrims will have to spend a minimum of Tk 6,83,018 to perform hajj under government management this year, around 2.21 lakh more than the previous year.

Meanwhile, pilgrims under private hajj management will have to spend a minimum of Tk 6.57 lakh, around Tk 2 lakh more than in 2022.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the executive committee on hajj management held with State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan in the chair on Wednesday.

The private hajj agencies will have to fix their packages in coordination with the government rate.

This year’s hajj-2023 will be held on June 28 depending on the moon sighting.

Earlier on January 9, the government signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia for the smooth arrangement of hajj this year.

According to the agreement, 15,000 people will be able to perform hajj under government management while 1,12,198 under private management.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will carry 50 percent of passengers while Saudia Airlines will carry 50 percent of passengers.

Besides, the Saudi government has lifted the age barrier paving the path for people aged over 65 years for performing the hajj.

According to the ‘Route to Mecca initiative’ deal, all hajj pilgrims will complete their pre-arrival immigration from Dhaka.

In the case of the Covid situation, the Saudi authorities can decide on the number of pilgrims.

Meanwhile, the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (Haab), a platform of private hajj tour operators in a press release on Wednesday, said that it will formally announce its hajj package rate at a press conference at a hotel in Dhaka tomorrow.