The cost of Hajj under private arrangements has been set at Tk 7.5 lakh for a special Hajj package, which includes food and animal sacrifice services. The general package will cost Tk 5.5 lakh, while the budget-friendly package has been priced at Tk 5.1 lakh.
The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has announced three packages for private Hajj arrangements for the upcoming year, similar to the government arrangements.
HAAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder made the announcement at a press conference held in a city hotel on Tuesday.
Present at the brief, HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar said, “Three Hajj packages have been prepared for private arrangements. The special Hajj package, which includes food and sacrifice, is priced at Tk 7.5 lakh.
“The general package costs Tk 5.5 lakh, and the budget-friendly package is set at Tk 5.1 lakh.”
Farid further clarified that while the food cost is excluded from the government-managed Hajj package, it will be included in all three private packages.
The cost of the packages has been calculated based on the current market value of per Saudi Riyal at Tk 32.85. Any future changes in the exchange rate will be reflected in the package prices.
Last year, Hajj agency owners announced packages in two categories. The cost of the general Hajj package with food was Tk 5.23 lakh, while the special Hajj package was priced at Tk 6.99 lakh.
On the other hand, according to the announcement by the anti-discrimination group of owners, the first package was priced at Tk 5.18 lakh, the second at Tk 5.85 lakh, and the special Hajj package at Tk 6.75 lakh.
Government packages
On 28 September, Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain had announced the government-managed packages. He stated that the cost of Hajj Package-1 will be Tk 6.90 lakh. Hajj Package-2 is set at Tk 5.5 lakh, and Hajj Package-3 will cost Tk 4.6 lakh.
Under the “Private General Hajj Package” category, the price is set at Tk 5.09 lakh. The government has approved this package, and agencies will be allowed to announce two additional packages.
HAAB General Secretary Farid Ahmed Majumder mentioned that the general and budget-friendly packages will be mandatory for Hajj agencies, but agencies will have flexibility to announce changes to the special package.
Special Hajj package features
The special package will offer accommodation within 700 meters of the Haram Sharif in Makkah, with housing in the central area of Madinah. The tents in Mina will be located in Zone-5, with “D” category services in Mina-Arafah. Meals will be provided through a Moallem.
HAAB Vice-President Nur Mohammad said, “The hotels or houses in Mecca will be connected to the Mina tents by bus, and the journey to Mina-Arafah-Muzdalifah-Mina will be by bus or train.
“The rooms in Mecca and Madinah will accommodate a maximum of five people with attached bathrooms.”
General Hajj package features
The hotel in Mecca will be within 3 kilometers of the Haram Sharif. Accommodation will be outside the central area of Madinah. Meals will be provided via Moallem services in Mina-Arafah with “D” category services.
The rooms in the hotels in Mecca and Madinah will accommodate up to six people, with attached bathrooms. Travel to Mina and Arafah will be by bus or train.
Budget Hajj package features
In this package, the hotel will be located 6 to 7 kilometers from Haram Sharif. Accommodation will be outside the central area of Madinah. Meals will be provided through Moallem services in Mina-Arafah, with “D” category services.
The rooms in the hotels in Makkah and Madinah will accommodate up to six people, with bathrooms attached. The transportation between hotels and tents in Mina, as well as Mina-Arafah-Muzdalifah-Mina, will be by bus or train.
Payment deadlines
Farid mentioned that private Hajj pilgrims must deposit at least Tk 3.5 lakh to register. Registration will continue until 12 October 2025. The remaining amount must be deposited into the agency’s bank account or at the agency’s office by 31 December 2025, along with a money receipt.
He further added that no Hajj agency will be allowed to carry pilgrims on scheduled flights unless they are on dedicated flights this year.
If the Saudi government increases the cost of any service after the announcement of the packages, the Hajj pilgrims will be required to pay the additional amount.
Farid also noted that the air ticket price for this year has been reduced by Tk 12,990, bringing the fare down to Tk 1.5 lakh. Last year, the airfare was set at Tk 1.6 lakh. The airfare has been significantly reduced this year to adjust the package costs.
He concluded by saying, “In the past two years, Hajj pilgrims became the victims of overcharging, with an unjust additional airfare of around Tk 2 lakh. We believe it was an unjust practice, and the extra money was unfairly taken from the pilgrims.”
