Bangladesh to refund 48.7 million BDT to 4,341 Hajj pilgrims

The Bangladesh Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that 4,341 pilgrims will receive a total refund of 48.7 million BDT from this year's Hajj package. Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikebad stated that the savings resulted from lower-than-expected expenditures on house rent and service charges. The surplus funds will be transferred directly to the pilgrims' bank accounts, with individual refund amounts varying based on their specific Hajj package and accommodation type.

In a parliamentary session, the Minister also addressed future Hajj costs, noting that the airfare for 2027 pilgrims has been set at 130,000 BDT. He called for an investigation into the 2023 Hajj season, where pilgrims were charged 197,797 BDT for airfare, questioning the whereabouts of the 67,000 BDT difference.

Furthermore, the Minister highlighted reductions in overall package prices for 2027. The first package, which includes food costs, has been reduced to 615,263 BDT from 690,597 BDT in 2026. The second package has also been lowered to 505,000 BDT from 558,000 BDT. The Minister emphasized that these reductions aim to make the Hajj process more affordable and transparent.