JS body suggests reducing Hajj airfare

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Religious Affairs Ministry has recommended reducing the airfare for Hajj pilgrims to Tk 1.50 lakh from Tk 1.97 lakh.

The committee made the recommendation in a meeting at the Sangsad Bhaban on Wednesday.

It also suggested including doctors, who are specialists in heart, asthma and diabetes diseases, in the medical team for the pilgrims.

Read More: Writ seeks reduction in Hajj costs

This year around Tk 6.83 lakh was fixed for each pilgrim to perform Hajj under government management which is roughly Tk 1,61,868 more than that of last year.

Following a legal notice seeking a reduction of Hajj costs to Tk 4 lakh, State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Haque Khan MP earlier told Jago News that there is no chance to cut the costs or reconsider the package.

This year Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, will be held on June 27 (Zilhajj 9) subject to the appearing Moon in the sky.

Now as many as 1,27,198 devotees from Bangladesh - around 15,000 under government management and 1,12,198 under private management - can perform Hajj as per the agreement with Saudi Arabia.

HS/SU