Reducing plane fare for Hajj pilgrims demaned

Pilgrims and Hajj agencies have urged the government to reduce plane fare for Hajj pilgrims from Tk. 1.40 lakh while fixing the Hajj package for this year. “The plane fare for the Umrah pilgrims is now only Tk 45,000 to 48,000 for two ways. But the civil aviation ministry has fixed the fare at Tk 1.40 lakh for Hajj, making it three times higher. It’s illegal and unethical for the pilgrims,” claimed Bangladesh Pilgrims and Haji Welfare Council (BPHWC) President Dr Abullah Al Naser at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity auditorium yesterday. Hajj Agencies' Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) former President Abdus Sobhan Bhuiyan Hasan, Welfare Council’s Vice-President Bashir Ahmed, General Secretary Abdul Baten, former HAAB leader Ruhul Amin Mintu, and Rafiqul Islam were present there.

Warning of an intense movement, including demonstration with ‘white shroud clothes’, Naser said if the government takes Tk. 1 lakh as plane fare, it would still be 52,000 higher than the actual fare. "The religious affairs ministry also wants to reduce the plane fare. Owing to re-fixing of the plane fare, finalisation of the Hajj package remains stuck,” he added.

Terming the existing plane fare illegal, unethical, and torturous for the Hajj pilgrims, Naser said not only Biman, but also the Saudi Arabian Airline will carry pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. “It will help launder around Tk. 356 crore abroad. No loyal citizen will want to allow anyone to launder such a big amount in the name of plane fare,” he added.

Naser said the Saudi Arabian Airlines will carry half the total number of Hajj passengers and about Tk. 356 crore will be laundered silently through Saudi Airlines. A total of 1,37,198 pilgrims will perform Hajj this year, he informed. At the press conference, demand was also made to allow Middle East-based airlines to carry Hajj pilgrims, ticketing facilities directly for the pilgrims, and resisting syndication on Hajj tickets.

 

Reducing plane fare for Hajj pilgrims demaned

Pilgrims and Hajj agencies have urged the government to reduce plane fare for Hajj pilgrims from Tk. 1.40 lakh while fixing the Hajj package for this year. The plane fare for the Umrah pilgrims is now only Tk 45,000 to 48,000 for two ways. But the civil aviation ministry has fixed the fare at Tk 1.40 lakh for Hajj, making it three times higher. Its illegal and unethical for the pilgrims, claimed Bangladesh Pilgrims and Haji Welfare Council (BPHWC) President Dr Abullah Al Naser at a press conference at the Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium yesterday. Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) former President Abdus Sobhan Bhuiyan Hasan, Welfare Councils Vice-President Bashir Ahmed, General Secretary Abdul Baten, former HAAB leader Ruhul Amin Mintu, and Rafiqul Islam were present there. Warning of an intense movement, including demonstration with white shroud clothes, Naser said if the government takes Tk. 1 lakh as plane fare, it would still be 52,000 higher than the actual fare. The religious affairs ministry also wants to reduce the plane fare. Owing to re-fixing of the plane fare, finalisation of the Hajj package remains stuck, he added. Terming the existing plane fare illegal, unethical, and torturous for the Hajj pilgrims, Naser said not only Biman, but also the Saudi Arabian Airline will carry pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. It will help launder around Tk. 356 crore abroad. No loyal citizen will want to allow anyone to launder such a big amount in the name of plane fare, he added. Naser said the Saudi Arabian Airlines will carry half the total number of Hajj passengers and about Tk. 356 crore will be laundered silently through Saudi Airlines. A total of 1,37,198 pilgrims will perform Hajj this year, he informed. At the press conference, demand was also made to allow Middle East-based airlines to carry Hajj pilgrims, ticketing facilities directly for the pilgrims, and resisting syndication on Hajj tickets.