Thursday, October 3, 2024

The pre-registration for Hajj, which began on Aug 12, has crossed 50,000 in 51 days, with early registration for next year’s pilgrimage already underway. New and previous pre-registrants are now eligible to complete their initial registrations.

However, concerns remain regarding whether the quota will be met if costs are not reduced, based on past experiences.

Moinul Islam, manager of Hajj agency Al Hajj Travel Trade, said: “The current cost of Hajj is beyond the reach of many. Last time (2024), we saw cases where five people pre-registered, but only two could go due to high costs. The remaining three couldn’t afford it. I believe the package price, especially airfare, should be reduced in coordination with Saudi Arabia.”

According to the Hajj management portal, as of Wednesday, 2,753 people have pre-registered through government channels, while 50,083 have done so via private channels.

Meanwhile, 609 individuals have completed preliminary registration through the government, and 402 through private channels.

Speaking to bdnews24.com on Tuesday afternoon, Manjurul Haque, joint secretary of the religious affairs ministry’s Hajj section, said: “In the past two years, we have seen a decline in the number of Hajj pilgrims compared to our allocated quota. This year, we are trying to increase those numbers. While the pre-registration figures are encouraging, the actual numbers will become clear after the initial registration.

“If we can meet the quota set by the Saudi Arabian government within the stipulated time, we’ll be able to finalise agreements, such as house rentals, earlier. This will prevent the need to rent accommodations far from the Hajj centre.”

Due to increased costs, Bangladesh only filled about 65 percent of its Hajj quota this year. Out of an allocated 127,198 spots, only 85,257 Bangladeshis were able to attend. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has confirmed that the same quota has been granted for 2025.

Both pilgrims and agencies are calling for a reduction in costs to ensure the quota is filled.

Shamsul Haque Molla, from Madaripur’s Rajair Upazila, had hoped to go to Hajj with his wife.

However, the high costs prevented him from attending.

“I had hoped to go to Hajj with my wife last year, but I couldn’t manage the expenses. She went alone,” Molla told bdnews24.com.

“This year, I’ll be going, In Sha Allah [God willing]. If the cost were lower, we could have gone together. I urge the government to reduce the cost of Hajj.”

Yakub Sharafati, senior vice-president of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh, or HAAB, told bdnews24.com: “Pre-registration is ongoing, and initial registration has started slowly. I believe that, by ensuring the quality of service for Hajj pilgrims, the cost of the packages should be reduced. We’ve said many times that airfare should be made more reasonable so that people can perform this sacred duty more easily.”

HAJJ PACKAGE PRICES MAY BE REDUCED

Last year, the Awami League government announced two Hajj packages. The lowest cost for the government package was Tk 579,000, while the private package started at Tk 590,000.

Officials from the ministry have said they are working to reduce the package price for next year compared to 2024. The package will be finalised after accounting for expenses in Saudi Arabia and determining the airfare.

Speaking after the advisory council meeting on Sunday, Environmental Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan said: “Hajj is a significant matter for Muslims. However, we are seeing a syndicate even in such a holy event. They manipulate the prices and increase the cost of the Hajj package.

“To reduce the cost of Hajj to a reasonable level, the ministry has already started working. Discussions have begun on how much the price can be reduced. The current package is too high, and we believe it is possible to lower it.”

HOW TO REGISTER FOR HAJJ

To go on Hajj, prospective pilgrims must first pay a pre-registration fee of Tk 30,000. Later, an initial registration fee of Tk 300,000 must be paid. Once the Hajj packages are announced, the remaining amount can be paid to complete registration.

The Hajj Management Portal (www.hajj.gov.bd) provides a list of authorised agencies for this year’s Hajj operations.

Tafiqul Islam, assistant secretary of the religious affairs ministry's Umrah section, has said both those who pre-registered earlier and new pre-registrants can proceed with initial registration.

This year, the maximum capacity for regular package housing or hotels is six people per room. However, there will be opportunities to upgrade packages.

Prospective pilgrims travelling through the government channel can complete their initial registration through the e-Hajj system (www.hajj.gov.bd), the mobile app (e-Hajj BD), or at union digital centres, divisional Islamic Foundation offices, district offices, Baitul Mukarram mosque (second floor), or Ashkona Hajj office. Those travelling through private channels can complete the process through authorised Hajj agencies.

A passport and pre-registration certificate are required for initial registration, the ministry said.

Any queries regarding Hajj can be answered by calling the call centre at 16136.

Answering a question, joint secretary Manjurul said they had created a WhatsApp group with all the agencies during the last Hajj season to share directives and updates, improving connectivity.

“We didn’t receive any major complaints at that time. Those that did arise were resolved in Saudi Arabia. We expect the same this time around,” he said.

Source: https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/ad8e9847f764