State Minister for Religious Affairs Faridul Haque Khan has said the government will announce the Hajj package for this year within January.
Addressing a press briefing at his residence, the state minister informed that the hajj package will be announced on January 25 or January 30, reports UNB.
“The government has the intention to keep the package as it was in the previous year. But there might be a slight increase due to the dollar or riyal price,” he said.
As per the moon sighting, the Hajj-2023 will be held on the 9th day of Zillhajj that is June 28, 2023, he said.
The government signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia over Hajj on January 9.
This year, a total of 127,000 Bangladeshis will be able to perform Hajj. According to the agreement, 15,000 people will be able to go to Hajj under government management while 1,12,198 can go under private management.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines will carry 50 per cent passengers while Saudia Airlines will carry the rest number of the passengers.
Besides, the age limit for Hajj pilgrims during the pandemic has been lifted by the Saudi government – paving the way for people over 65 to go for the significant pilgrimage.
According to the ‘Route to Mecca initiative’ deal, all hajj pilgrims will complete their pre-arrival immigration in Dhaka.
In the case of the Covid-19 vulnerable situation, the Saudi authorities can take a decision about the number of pilgrims.
This year, 70 per cent of Bangladeshi pilgrims will go through Jeddah Airport while the rest 30 per cent will go through Madinah airport.