Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain on Tuesday said just like last year, no one will be sent to perform Hajj at government cost this year.
The adviser came up with the information while talking to reporters at the Secretariat.
This year, the government would be able to refund more than Tk 3 crore to Hajj pilgrims under two government-managed packages after the completion of this year’s Hajj, he said.
The Adviser said that he tried to perform his duties over the last one and a half years with transparency, accountability and integrity, making efforts to activate and streamline the Ministry of Religious Affairs and its subordinate offices and agencies.
Several steps were taken to ensure a professional and honest working environment for officials and employees, he claimed.
Regarding Hajj management, the adviser said that in line with directives of the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, a health service agreement was signed last year with a Saudi medical service company at a cost of two Saudi riyals per pilgrim.
Due to the sincere efforts and effective negotiations of the interim government, all Bangladeshi pilgrims will receive this health service free of cost this year, he added.
Claiming positive changes in Hajj management following the July revolution, the adviser said special emphasis was placed on ensuring Hajj at a reasonable cost.
Through repeated negotiations with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, airfares for the 2025 Hajj were reduced by around Tk 27,000, while fares for this year were cut by about Tk 13,000 compared to last year, he added.
This year, the government introduced three Hajj packages, compared to two last year.
To facilitate limited- and fixed-income Muslims, an affordable package has been announced at Tk 4,67,167, he said.
He said preparations for this year’s Hajj are satisfactory so far, with accommodation, tent and transport contracts for both government and private pilgrims already completed successfully.
Besides, the service charges under Hajj Package-3 were reduced by around 600 Saudi riyals per pilgrim through effective negotiations with service provider companies, said the adviser.
He also said accommodation for Package-3 pilgrims has been arranged within 1.5 kilometres of the Holy Haram instead of the earlier plan of 6–8 kilometres, easing transportation hassles and allowing pilgrims to perform five daily prayers at the Haram Sharif.