Reducing hajj cost: Religious Affairs Ministry yet to take decision

Motiul Islam, additional secretary to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stated on Thursday that no decision has yet been made to lower the cost of Hajj package costing.

"Copy of the court's order has not yet been delivered to us. If a fresh decision is made, I'll let you know later," he told reporters at the ministry.

The Hajj registration under the existing packages is ending today (Thursday), he said adding that the intending pilgrims have to deposit money in banks within this time.

Motiul furthered that it has not yet been decided whether the registration time will be extended.

As of March 15, 9,569 people have registered for Hajj under government management and 91,246 under private management.

There are still 25,480 empty quota for registration, he said.

The High Court on Wednesday asked Attorney General AM Amin Uddin to take initiative to reduce the Hajj package cost.

The HC bench of Justice KM Kamrul Kader and Justice Mohammad Ali gave the order after hearing the Ministry of Religion's explanation regarding the high Hajj cost this year.

The court questioned on Tuesday how the average person would perform the hajj at the price issued by the government.

Why doesn't the government contribute funds for the hajj like other nations around the world, it also questioned.

This year, a Bangladeshi must spend at least Tk 6.83 lakh to conduct the hajj under government supervision, an increase of almost Tk 1.61 lakh from the year before. The minimum fee for conducting the hajj under private management has been set at 6.72 lakh taka, an increase of roughly 1.5 lakh taka from the prior year.

In addition, each pilgrim will need to pay around Tk 22,000 to the Islamic Development Bank in Saudi Arabia for a Qurbani coupon. The money is used to cover the cost of offering sacrificed animals.

Subject to moon sighting, the hajj is anticipated to take place on June 27.

The High Court bench also termed that the Hajj package which has been fixed for 6 lakh 83 thousand and 18 taka is "inhumane".

The court said that the responsibility for the loss of the aircraft cannot be imposed on the Hajj pilgrims. It further stated that those who are involved in making this high-price package will be part of committing sin.