The owners of general Hajj agencies have rejected the government’s Hajj packages and announced their own separate packages, which are Tk45,000 and approximately Tk124,000 more expensive.
Recently, the Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the Hajj packages for the upcoming year, claiming that the cost for both government packages has decreased by more than Tk1 lakh compared to last year.
On Wednesday, a press conference was held at the Maulana Mohammad Akram Khan Hall of the National Press Club, where the Hajj agency owners announced the “Private Management Hajj Packages for 2025.”
The government has announced two packages, “General Hajj Package-1” and “General Hajj Package-2,” priced at Tk478,242 and Tk575,680 respectively.
The agency owners, on the other hand, announced two packages: the “General Package” at Tk523,000 and the “Special Package” at Tk699,000.
The agency owners argued that the government’s Hajj packages are misleading and would not reduce costs for pilgrims, but rather increase them.
Faruk Ahmed Sardar, former Secretary-General of the Hajj Agencies’ Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), said that they have introduced these two packages, one general and one special, with better service standards, keeping in mind the financial ability of the pilgrims.
The Saudi portion of the costs for the general package is set at Tk338,000, which includes accommodation in Makkah and Madina, Zamzam water, service charges, meals, etc.
The Bangladesh portion is priced at Tk185,000, covering airfare (Tk167,820), Hajj welfare fund, training fees, Hajj guide fees, and other expenses.
The general package includes:
• Hajj visa and flight tickets to and from Saudi Arabia
• Hotels within a maximum of 3 kilometres from the Haram in Makkah and 1.5 kilometres from the Al Masjid an Nabawi in Madina
• Accommodation in air-conditioned rooms with a maximum of six people per room
• Tents at Mina with mattresses, sheets, blankets, and pillows
• Air-conditioned tents at Arafat, food services at Mina and Arafat, and bus transport for pilgrims during the pilgrimage
• Hajj training, guides, Hajj and Umrah manuals, ID cards, and luggage tags
• 5 litres of Zamzam water upon return
Pilgrims must also carry about 750 Saudi Riyals for the sacrifice (Qurbani) and complete it themselves.
They can stay a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 48 days in Saudi Arabia, with 5 to 8 days in Madinah. They must arrange their own accommodation in Muzdalifah.
The press conference also noted that this year, no airline would be allowed to carry Hajj passengers on scheduled flights without dedicated flights. If the Saudi government raises any costs after the announcement, pilgrims will have to bear the additional charges.
For private management, pilgrims can register with a minimum deposit of 3 lakh Taka, and the remaining amount must be paid by February 5th at the respective agency’s bank account or office, with the receipt preserved. Transactions via intermediaries are strictly prohibited.
This year, individuals aged 65 or above will also be allowed to perform Hajj.