The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has announced its Hajj packages for this year. HAAB leaders announced two categories – ‘general’ and ‘economy’ – Hajj packages for the pilgrims, who intend to perform pilgrimage under private arrangement this year.

Each pilgrim will have to pay Tk 361,800 for the 'general' category and Tk 317,000 under the 'economy' category. HAAB President Shahadat Hossain Taslim came up with the packages yesterday at a press briefing in a city hotel. “Hajj package under the economy category is the lowest of its kind under the private arrangement. Hajj pilgrims will have to pay the money by March 30 to their agencies. However, the cost of Qurbani for sacrificial animals is not included in the packages. So, each pilgrim should take 525 riyals extra in cash for that purpose,” Taslim said.

Taslim said an agency owner can announce a special Hajj package over and above the packages announced by the HAAB, but no agency can take lower than the minimum rate declared by the HAAB.

He, however, expressed his dissatisfaction over the fare fixed by state-owned airliner Biman for Hajj pilgrims.

“We’re unhappy over the Biman fare. Air fares have been increased by Tk 12,000 this year without any reason. So, we are demanding a cut in the increased airfare,” said the HAAB chief in reply to a query.

Taslim also said Biman Bangladesh Airlines had increased the fare unilaterally without discussing the move with the stakeholders.

HAAB Secretary General Faruk Ahmed Sarder, Vice-President Yakub Sharafati, Joint Secretary General Maulana Fazlur

Rahman, and other leaders were also present at the press briefing. The Cabinet on February 24 approved the Hajj Package for 2020/1441 Hijri – thereby allowing the pilgrims to perform Hajj under three government packages.

The total cost of Government Package-1 has been fixed at Tk 425,000, Package-2 at Tk 360,000, and Package-3 at Tk 315,000. The cost of Package-1 and Package-2 has been increased by Tk 6,500 and Tk 16,000, respectively this year.

A total of 137,198 pilgrims are expected to go to Saudi Arabia this year to perform Hajj as per an agreement signed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) government.

Of the total, 120,000 would perform Hajj under private management while 17,198 more would get to perform Hajj under the government management.