Hajj agreement with the Saudi Government is likely to be inked this week. Following the approval, the previous registrants will get priority to perform hajj but their cost to perform hajj is likely to go up.
Of the 54000 registered, about 10,000 pilgrims will be excluded as they are over 65 years of age. However, this year 57,856 people from Bangladesh will be able to perform Hajj. Of these, 1.5 lakh are from Saudi Arabia and 8.5 lakh from other countries.
There were 54,000 pilgrims registered for hajj back in 2020. Of these, those over 65 years of age will be excluded. This number is about 10000. Pre-registered hajj pilgrims number is two lakh. Pilgrims among registered and pre-registered can go for hajj.
In other years, Hajj agreement was inked in December. But this year the deal with Saudi authorities is due this week. After that, public and private Hajj packages will be announced.
On Saturday last week, the Saudi Government allowed one million pilgrims around the world to perform hajj. To ensure smooth transportation of pilgrims, the local authority has approved a third airline to carry pilgrims from and to Bangladesh.
Muslims around the world performed Hajj in 2019 before the pandemic Coronavirus. Due to the stagnated situation of Covid-19 next two years, only Saudi Arabians performed hajj on a limited scale.
State Minister for Religion Faridul Haque Khan has said that those who wish to perform Hajj from the country this year will be able to go for Hajj following the agreement with the Saudi Government and if the coronavirus infection does not increase.
Hinting the cost of performing Hajj may increase this year the state minister said, “The cost of Hajj pilgrims may increase more than in the past with the change of rules for staying in tents in Mina.”
However, all kinds of preparations have already been completed in Bangladesh. Complications that were faced regarding the Chinese vaccine have also been addressed. This time, the government has given permission to another airline named Flynas besides Saudia Airlines and Biman Bangladesh Airlines to ensure smooth transportation of pilgrims.
The President of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), sees receiving plane tickets as a major cause of misery for Hajj passengers.
HAAB President M Shahadat Hossain Taslim told Bangladesh Post, “The biggest challenge in the Hajj journey in the country is the exclusive business of Biman and Saudia Airlines. As a new airliner is introduced we hope pilgrims’ transportation will be easier. But nevertheless, we still believe that flight frequencies should be increased.”
Meanwhile, the religious affairs ministry has advised not to do financial transactions with brokers or intermediaries before the final Hajj agreement.