Hajj registration process begins

The final registration process of the Hajj pilgrims for 2018 under the government management began on Thursday. The process will continue till March 11.

The hajj flight will start from July 14, Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahman said while addressing a press briefing at his office at the secretariat.

He also said the ministry has cancelled license of 64 private hajj agencies and took different actions including imposing fines to 98 hajj tour operators for their involvement in different irregularities in carrying out hajj activities in 2017.

Those who performed Hajj in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as well those who got Saudi visas last year but did not perform Hajj are asked to submit 2,100 Saudi Riyals (Tk 46,935), if they want to perform Hajj this time.

On February 22, the ministry published a list of serial numbers of Hajj pilgrims, who will be able to enroll in the final Hajj registration this year.

According to the Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia, a total of 127,198 pilgrims from Bangladesh will be able to perform hajj this year. Of them, 7,198 will perform hajj under the government management and 120,000 under private management.

The hajj is likely to be held on August 21 this year subject to the moon sighting.