The High Court has issued a ruling seeking to know why the Hajj package announced by the government should not be declared illegal. A hearing will be held in this regard after four weeks.
The rule was issued on Sunday (April, 2). After hearing a writ petition, a bench of Justice KM Kamrul Quader and Justice Khizir Hayat issued the rule.
Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Ashraf Uz Zaman filed a writ to reduce the price of Hajj package and re-announce the package on March, 12.
The petitioners believe that Saudi Arabia's and the Ministry of Religion's insufficient provision is to responsible for the country's rising Hajj package prices.
Considering the distance, the air fare of pilgrims in Bangladesh is several times higher than that of different countries. In this regard, the High Court said, although the Hajj package is very low in all countries, the price in Bangladesh is high because of the lack of monitoring in this country.
This year, the official cost of performing Hajj was estimated at 6 lakh 83 thousand and18 taka. And the minimum cost of performing Hajj privately was 6 lakh 72 thousand and 618 taka.
The Ministry of Religion informed that Hajj package price of government management has been reduced by 11 thousand 725 taka. The price will be 6 lakh 71 thousand and 290 taka.
The Ministry has requested the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) to reduce the same amount in private management. Hajj package price under private management will be 6 lakh 60 thousand 893 taka.
The registration period for Hajj this year has been extended again. According to the extended period, Hajj registration can be done till April 5. Registration started last February 8.
Hajj will be held on June, 27 (9th Zilhaj) (subject to moon sighting). According to the Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia, 1 lakh 27 thousand and 198 people from Bangladesh will be able to perform Hajj this time. Out of this, 15,000 people will get an opportunity to perform Hajj under government management and the remaining 1,12,198 people will perform Hajj under private management.
