Staff Correspondent

The government has officially announced the Hajj packages for 2027, introducing two distinct options under government management: Hajj Package-1 and Hajj Package-2 (Economic). Due to a special personal initiative by the Prime Minister, airfares for the pilgrimage have decreased by Tk 24,830 compared to 2026.

Under the newly announced pricing, the cost for Hajj Package-1 has been set at BDT 6,15,263, while Hajj Package-2 is priced at TK 5,05,648.

Minister for Religious Affairs Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) made the announcement while detailing the 2027 Hajj packages and guidelines during a press briefing at the Secretariat on Tuesday morning.

Explaining structural updates, the minister noted that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has integrated accommodations, transport, catering, tent services, and service packages into a unified system for the 2027 pilgrimage. While the 2026 Hajj featured four categories of service packages in Mina and Arafat, the 2027 season will streamline these into three. Additionally, half-board catering has been made mandatory for all pilgrims, a measure expected to elevate the overall quality of service.

Highlighting the reduction in travel costs, Minister Kaikobad credited the Prime Minister's personal intervention, noting that Hajj airfare was nearly BDT 200,000 in 2023 under the previous administration and was later adjusted to BDT 1,67,820 during the 2025 interim government tenure. For the 2027 Hajj, the airfare has been fixed at BDT 130,000, which he termed a milestone in Hajj management history.

Contrasting past governance with the present administration, the minister remarked that the fallen regime continuously sought ways to inflate Hajj flight costs, whereas Prime Minister Tarique Rahman actively works to alleviate the financial burden on citizens. He stated that this reflects the Prime Minister's love, empathy, and accountability toward the people of the country.

Addressing queries regarding whether Hajj costs have risen or fallen overall, the minister explained that the previous year's lowest package did not include food expenses. With mandatory catering introduced, service package 'D' abolished, and an appreciation in the Saudi Riyal exchange rate, an additional BDT 66,574 was factored into the 2027 cost structure.

Turning to expatriate Bangladeshi pilgrims, the minister announced a major administrative convenience, noting that for the 2027 Hajj, expatriates will be able to complete their medical examinations and vaccinations and submit visa applications directly from their countries of residence, sparing them the requirement of returning to Bangladesh for these procedures.

Regarding package specifics, pilgrims under Hajj Package-1 will be accommodated within 1,000 to 1,400 meters of the outer courtyard of Haram Sharif in Makkah, and within the Markazia area in Madinah. In Mina, tents will be located in Zone-2, complemented by Service Package-3 provisions in Mina and Arafat with meals supplied by the Moallem, and a standard duration of stay ranging from 35 to 40 days, subject to optional room upgrades and short packages for additional fees.

In contrast, Hajj Package-2 offers a more affordable alternative by placing pilgrim accommodations in Makkah within 2 to 3 kilometers of the outer courtyard of Haram Sharif, and within 800 meters of Masjid an-Nabawi outside the Markazia area in Madina

Additionally, a standard private Hajj package managed through private agencies has been set at BDT 5,13,648.

Gaibandha-4 MP Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, Religious Affairs Secretary Munsi Alauddin Al Azad NDC, Additional Secretary for Hajj Dr. Ayatul Islam, Joint Secretary Dr. Monzurul Haque, HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar, and General Secretary Farid Ahmed Mazumdar, alongside other senior ministry officials, were present at the press briefing.