The government will refund unspent Saudi-phase funds totalling Tk4,87,23,014 to 4,341 Hajj pilgrims for the 2026 season.
Religion Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) announced the decision at a press conference held at the ministry on Sunday afternoon.
State Minister for Religion Shamim Kaiser and Religion Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad were also present at the briefing, where refund cheques were handed over to several pilgrims as a symbolic gesture.
The religion minister said that through this move, the Ministry of Religious Affairs has established a landmark of transparency and accountability in Hajj management.
He praised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, noting that the Hajj was completed successfully this year due to his close monitoring.
“It is a special mercy of Allah that the funds remained unspent and we are able to refund this money,” Kaikobad remarked.
He added that the government is actively seeking ways to make the pilgrimage even less expensive in the future, promising that this standard of honesty and responsibility will be sustained in the Hajj management of the coming year.
The refund amounts will vary depending on the distance of hotels from the Kaaba Sharif and upgraded hotel seats. All refunds will be directly deposited into the pilgrims’ individual bank accounts.
However, pilgrims whose medical treatments cost more than their health insurance coverage will not be eligible to receive any refunds.
The refund structure in the three Hajj packages is detailed as follows:
Package 1: Pilgrims will receive a maximum of Tk1,80,572.71 and a minimum of Tk38,697.32.
Package 2: Pilgrims will receive a maximum of Tk78,713.94 and a minimum of Tk2,505.49.
Package 3: Pilgrims will receive a flat refund of Tk3,718.09 each.
In contrast to the government’s transparency efforts, Secretary Azad expressed deep frustration over private Hajj management. He pointed out that there is no precedent of private Hajj management bodies returning unspent funds, and they do not make such refunds to pilgrims.
