The holy Hajj may be held on June 5, subject to the sighting of the moon. Bangladesh has received a quota of 127,198 people for the 2025 Hajj. Of these, 15,000 people will be able to go for Hajj under government management and 112,198 people will be able to go for Hajj under private management.
Two packages have been announced for Hajj under government management in 2025. In one package (house within three kilometers of the outer courtyard of the Grand Mosque) Tk. 478,242. In the other package (house within one and a half kilometers of the Grand Mosque) Tk. 575,680. However, this time, food money has not been added to the package.
It has been seen that if Tk. 40,000 for food is added, the cost of general Hajj package-1 stands at Tk. 518,242. And the cost for package 2 is Tk.615,680.
Last time, the cost of general Hajj package for official Hajj was Tk. 578,840. At that time, the houses of the pilgrims were within one and a half kilometers from the outer courtyard of the Grand Mosque.
The question has been raised about the distance of Package-1. Because whether it will be possible for elderly pilgrims from Bangladesh to come to the Grand Mosque from three kilometers away and offer five daily prayers is a question of whether the pilgrims will be interested in going in this package.
The package that has been announced for Tk. 4 lakh 78 thousand 242 is basically a shuttle service package. That is, the Azizia package. It is a kind of 'comfort package.' Pilgrims from Bangladesh are not used to performing Hajj from such a distance.
However, the work that has been done, the airfare has been reduced slightly. There is scope to reduce it further. Even if it is reduced to Tk.1 lakh 50 thousand, the airline will still be profitable. And if a third carrier is opened, it can be reduced to Tk.1 lakh 10-12 thousand.
It is good to say that in one rak'ah of prayer in the Grand Mosque, the reward of one lakh rak'ah of prayer is obtained. For this reason, pilgrims strive to offer their prayers in the Grand Mosque every time. The reality is that during Hajj, there are no cars for a long time around Makkah, and everything has to be done on foot.
On the other hand, M.A. Rashid Shah Samrat, former Secretary General of the Hajj Agency Association Bangladesh (HAAB), and others demanded a further reduction in the cost of the Saudi part of the Hajj expenses and the introduction of a third carrier in the transportation of pilgrims.
He gave a brief opinion to Barta24.com, stating that this was also not implemented. According to him, there was not much that was promising in the Hajj package.
The price of the general Hajj package for the private sector in 2025 has been set at Tk. 4 lakh 83 thousand 156. However, private agencies will be able to announce an additional special package after accepting the general Hajj package.
Before announcing the Hajj package at the secretariat on Wednesday (October 30) afternoon, Religious Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain said that this year's Hajj package has been determined through the opinions of all stakeholders, a thorough analysis of expenses in various sectors, and a realistic and rationalization of all possible expenses.
He firmly said that there was no lack of sincerity in determining the Hajj package, there was no lack of effort.
The facilities and benefits of the general Hajj package-1 through the government are:
1. Accommodation within 3 kilometers from the outer perimeter of the Haram Sharif in Makkah. Bus arrangements for traveling to the Haram Sharif.
2. Accommodation within a maximum of 1.5 kilometers from the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.
3. Location of tents in the Green Zone (Zone-5) in Mina and 'D' category service facilities in Mina-Arafat.
4. Travel from hotel/home in Makkah to Mina tent by bus and Mina-Arafat-Muzdalifah-Mina by train.
5. Food service by Moallem in Mina and Arafat.
6. Accommodation for a maximum of 6 people per room in a house/hotel in Makkah and Medina with attached bathroom.
7. Provision of refrigerator in the house/hotel room/floor.
8. Provision of free medicines and first aid services by the Bangladesh government in Makkah, Medina and Jeddah.
9. Arrangement of 1 Hajj guide for 46 pilgrims.
Outside the package, each pilgrim must necessarily take with him a minimum of 40,000 (forty thousand) Saudi Riyals for food and 750 (seven hundred and fifty) Saudi Riyals for Dam-e-Shokar (sacrifice).
Apart from this, Hajj package upgrade facilities will be available through the government. That is, with additional payment, you can take advantage of 2, 3 and 4-seater rooms and short packages in houses/hotels in Mecca and Medina.
The features of the general Hajj package-2 through the government are:
1. Accommodation within 1.5 kilometers from the outer perimeter of Haram Sharif in Mecca.
2. Accommodation in the Markazia (Central Area) area in Medina.
3. Location of the tent in the Yellow Zone (Zone-2) in Mina and upgraded 'D' category service facilities in Mina-Arafah.
4. Travel from the hotel/house in Makkah to the Mina tent by bus and Mina-Arafah-Muzdalifah-Mina by train.
5. Accommodation for a maximum of 6 people per room in the house/hotel in Makkah and Medina with attached bathroom.
6. Arrangement of refrigerator in the house/hotel room/floor.
7. Free medicine and primary medical care will be provided by the Bangladesh government in Makkah, Medina and Jeddah.
8. Arrangement of 1 Hajj guide for 46 pilgrims.
Outside the package, the pilgrim must necessarily take with him a minimum of Saudi Riyals equivalent to Tk. 40,000 (forty thousand) for food and 750 (seven hundred and fifty) Saudi Riyals for (sacrifice).
Private pilgrims will receive free medicine and primary medical care from the Bangladesh government in Makkah, Medina and Jeddah.
Saudi Arabia will start issuing Hajj visas from February 19 in 2025 and Hajj flights will start from April 29. The holy Hajj will be held on June 5, 2025, subject to the sighting of the moon. This year, 1,27,198 people from Bangladesh will get the opportunity to perform Hajj.