Religious affairs ministry is expecting that the country’s people will be able to perform Hajj this year following an announcement of the Saudi Government.
Hajj activities in Bangladesh may start from April if Saudi Arabia gets the green signal.
The Saudi Ministry of Health has made it mandatory for pilgrims to be vaccinated against coronavirus for the holy Hajj this year.
In this regard, the religious affairs ministry has urged previously registered pilgrims to take the first dose of Coronavirus vaccine in March this year and the second dose in May.
The ministry has sent a letter to the Director General of the Department of Health to take necessary action in this regard on Thursday.
Additional Secretary (Hajj) of the religious affairs ministry Md. A. Hamid Zamadder said that, “Although the age limit for getting coronavirus vaccine is 40 years, however, there is no age limit for vaccinating pilgrims.”
According to the ministry, the quota for Hajj in Bangladesh in 2020 was 137000. Despite the prevailing situation of pandemic around 67000 people completed registration for performing hajj.
Later as the Saudi government postponed Hajj, more than 5,000 people took back their money. And there are 177000 people who have pre-registered.
The quota for Bangladesh this year has not been finalized yet. Since social distances have to be complied with in order to prevent coronavirus, it is expected that the quota of Hajj pilgrims may be reduced in 2021.
However, the cost to perform Hajj may increase this year due to Covid-19, fear the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB).
According to HAAB, the maximum cost for performing Hajj was estimated at Tk 425000 last year. However, due to Covid-19, other expenses including air tickets may increase this year. Meanwhile, the Saudi government has made the coronary vaccination mandatory for pilgrims.
Moreover, the quota of Hajj pilgrims in Bangladesh has not been finalized yet. Priority will be given to the 61,000 pilgrims who registered last year.
