The final registration process of the pilgrims who will perform Hajj this year under private management will begin today (Tuesday).
The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) announced the schedule on Monday.
HAAB also announced Hajj package with a minimum price at Tk 3,32,868 for an individual person to perform Hajj this year.
Of the amount, Tk 1,38,191 is included as Dhaka- Jeddah air fare. But the rate/value for sacrificial animal is not included in the package.
For the purpose of sacrificial animal, an additional sum of Tk 11,000 will be charged.
"The minimum Hajj package price is fixed at Tk 3,32,868. The intending Hajj persons must deposit the money to their respective Hajj agencies banks accounts by March 15, 2018," secretary general of HAAB M Shahdat Hossain (Taslim) told a press briefing at a city hotel.
He, however, said that the Hajj agencies could announce their own Hajj package offering different facilities to intending Hajj pilgrims.
But they could not reduce or declare the Hajj package rate that is below than declared package of HAAB.
He said the Ministry of Religious Affairs and HAAB will not take any responsibility if any intending Hajj pilgrims are cheated by dealing money with the middlemen or brokers.
He said the registration process will start from today (March 06, 2018) which will continue until March 15.
The intending Hajj pilgrims could deposit Tk 1,38,191 to their respective Hajj agencies bank account during the registration period.
He said that they (intending Hajj pilgrims) must pay the rest of the amount of the package by March 15, 2018.
The holy Hajj will be held on August 21, 2018 (depending on moon sighting). This year a total of 1,27,198 persons are expected to perform the Hajj from Bangladesh.
Of the number, 7,1987 will perform Hajj under government arrangement while 1,20,000 under private management.
Those who performed Hajj in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as well as those who got Saudi visas last year but did not perform Hajj are asked to submit 2,100 Saudi Riyals (Tk 46,935), if they want to perform Hajj this time.
Mr Taslim requested the government to reduce the air fare.
He suggested allowing third airline to operate/ carry (apart from Biman and Saudi Airlines) Hajj pilgrims that will help make the air fare competitive.
On February 26, the cabinet approved the draft Hajj Package, 2018.
Earlier on February 22, the ministry published a list of serial numbers of Hajj pilgrims, who will be able to enrol in the final Hajj registration this year.
The Hajj pilgrims have also been asked to submit scanned copies of passports during the e-Hajj registration process, it added.
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