STAFF CORRESPONDENT

Stakeholders in the hajj sector have come down heavily on a statement of the Ministry of Religious Affairs on the hajj package price, terming it “irresponsible” and “anti-people”.

The ministry on Sunday said this year’s hajj package is the cheapest considering the overall issues.

“There has been a problem regarding renting hotels this year due to the recent global situation and the demolition of various hotels near Haram Sharif in Saudi Arabia. That is why the hotels are being rented for more money...The cost of hajj packages will increase further in the coming years,” said the ministry’s statement.

Leaders of Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) and Association of Travel Agents of Bangladesh (ATAB) yesterday criticised the statement and urged the government to take steps to reduce the hajj cost.

The stakeholders stressed that many aspirants will be unable to perform hajj this year due to the huge cost of the packages.

ATAB Secretary General Abdus Salam Aref said the religious affairs ministry’s decision to increase hajj cost is unfair.

“If the Saudi government reduces transportation costs, visa fees, cost to travel to Mina-Arafat-Muzdalifah, and other services that are done in exchange for money, then the cost of the hajj package will naturally decrease,” he said.

Meanwhile, even after multiple deadline extensions, the required number of hajj pilgrims are yet to complete registration.