Staff Reporter :
The country’s private hajj agencies have announced two private packages for the Bangladeshi pilgrims intending to perform Hajj under private management in next Hajj season of 2025.
According to the hajj agencies, pilgrims have to pay Tk 5.23 lakh for the general package while Tk 6.99 lakh for the special package for performing Hajj, including the expenses of food.
Under the banner of Sadharon Hajj Agency Malikbrindo (Owners of General Hajj Agencies), elected leaders of recently dissolved executive committee of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), announced the packages for private agencies at a press conference in the Jatiya Press Club on Wednesday.
Immediate past HAAB President Faruk Ahmed Sarder announced the packages on behalf of the general agencies as the HAAB will not announce any packages as there is no elected committee. Dissolving the elected committee, the government recently appointed an administrator in the trade body.
Earlier on Tuesday, owners of general Hajj agencies have given their clearance on the packages at a view exchange meeting held at a city hotel, immediate past Secretary General of HAAB Farid Ahmed Majumder said at the press conference.
Earlier on October 30, the government announced two Hajj packages – Tk4.78 lakh and Tk 5.75 lakh – for government arrangement pilgrims excluding the expenses of food and sacrificial (qurbani).
While announcing the packages, Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain also informed that the private agencies would be able to announce packages at Tk 4.83 lakh. However, the private agencies would be able to announce separate special packages.
In response to reporters, Farid Ahmed Majumder said that the government has misguided the people saying that it has announced a package less than the previous years. However, it has excluded the expenses of food from the package. But, the Hajj package cannot be considered as complete without food facilities.