Govt will try to further reduce Hajj costs: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said that his government will try to further reduce the expenses of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia from next year to facilitate the country’s Muslim devotees to perform the holy Hajj at lower costs.
 
“We have reduced airfare for Hajj flights by Taka12,000 per ticket this year. We will try to reduce the cost from the next year, InShaAllah, so we can facilitate those, who will go to Hajj next time, to perform the Hajj at a lower cost,” he said while inaugurating this year’s Hajj flight at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here tonight.
 
The Prime Minister said, “We did not have much scope to do anything this year as almost all of the processes for this Hajj had been completed before we formed the government. However, we tried our level best to do as much we could”.
 
Seeking doa (prayers) from the Hajj pilgrims, he said, “You are going to the house of the Almighty Allah. You are the guests of Allah, if you raise your hands to Allah, I believe Allah will grant your rahmat (blessings). So, please, pray for the country’s people so that everyone can live in peace”.
 
Tarique Rahman, also ruling BNP chairman, also requested the pilgrims to pray to Allah for his government so that they can run the country in a good manner, addressing all crises, including unemployment problem.
 
He wished the pilgrims good health and safe journey on the occasion of the Hajj.
 
Earlier, the Prime Minister formally opened the first Hajj flight (BG3001) at 23:57, which was scheduled to depart Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport here at 00:20 for King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, carrying 418 pilgrims.
 
Tarique Rahman, also BNP chairman, arrived at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport around 23:30 and went straight inside the aircraft.
 
At that time, he was seen talking to each of the pilgrims onboard and shaking hands with them. The Prime Minister joined a munajat (prayer) inside the aircraft, seeking blessings of Almighty Allah for successful accomplishment of the Hajj rituals.
 
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita) and State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah were present on the occasion, among others.
 
Earlier, the Prime Minister visited the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the city and exchanged pleasantries with the Hajj pilgrims there.
 
According to the Religious Affairs Ministry, a total of 14 flights are scheduled for today, including six to be operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, four by Saudia airlines, and four by Flynas.
 
Pre-hajj flights will end on May 21. A total of 207 pre-hajj flights are scheduled, including 102 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 75 by Saudia, and 30 by Flynas.
 
Bangladesh, one of the world's largest Hajj pilgrim-sending countries, is expected to send around 78,500 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia this year. Of them, 4,565 pilgrims will perform Hajj under government management, while 73,935 under private agencies.
 
About 50 percent of the hajj pilgrims will travel by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, while the remaining passengers by Saudia and Flynas airlines.
 
Subject to moon sighting, the holy Hajj is expected to be held on May 26, 2026.
 
Return flights will begin on May 30 after the completion of Hajj rituals and will continue until July 1 next, reports BSS.