Govt refunds Tk8.20cr to Hajj pilgrims thru efficient cost management
The religious affairs adviser says the chief adviser has issued special directives to strictly comply with all Saudi regulations and ensure the timely payment of Hajj fees.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has refunded a total of Tk8.20 crore to Hajj pilgrims this year, thanks to cost-effective management of accommodations in Saudi Arabia, officials confirmed.
While pilgrims expressed gratitude to Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, describing this year's Hajj arrangements as " a benchmark in efficiency and service".
Speaking to BSS, Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain said the Chief Adviser issued special directives to strictly comply with all Saudi regulations and ensure the timely payment of Hajj fees.
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"Thus, we were able to rent accommodations close to the Holy Kaaba in Mecca Sharif and provide timely medical support to our pilgrims. By the grace of Almighty Allah, this year marks a milestone for Bangladesh in Hajj management, both in terms of cost and service," he added.
According to the ministry, a total of 87,100 pilgrims from Bangladesh performed Hajj this year. The overall Hajj package was reduced by Tk73,000 per pilgrim compared to the previous year.
Khalid emphasised that the success was a joint effort involving both the ministry and the pilgrims who strictly adhered to the guidelines. He also credited the ministry's achievements to the absence of political interference, allowing officials to operate transparently and efficiently.
In recognition of the ministry's performance, the Chief Adviser extended formal appreciation at a recent meeting of the Advisory Council.
This year, the ministry introduced three new services for pilgrims: a modern mobile app titled 'Labbike' to streamline services, roaming facilities for mobile communication and delivery of Hajj prepaid cards for ease of financial transactions.
Despite limited manpower, the Hajj programme was executed using only 29 third and fourth-class staff appointed from the revenue sector.
The ministry saw considerable achievements beyond Hajj management during the 2024-25 fiscal year. A total of 263 officers and employees received training to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency. Tk 17.16 crore was disbursed to Muslim religious institutions for renovation and development, Tk5.83 crore went to 1,043 madrasas and orphanages and Tk3.97 crore supported 733 Eidgahs and graveyards.
The ministry also provided Tk1.43 crore to 307 Hindu temples, Tk29.90 lakh to 57 crematoriums, Tk56 lakh to 112 pagodas, Tk15.50 lakh to 29 Buddhist crematoriums, Tk14.50 lakh to 29 churches and Tk50 lakh to one Christian cemetery.
Nearly Tk11 crore was allocated as financial assistance to the underprivileged, sick, and destitute under the Zakat Fund. Financial aid totalling Tk4.43 crore was distributed among 3,140 needy individuals.
Among the major projects approved in the ECNEC meeting held on 24 May 2025 was the "Mosque-Based Children's and Mass Education Programme for Moral and Religious Development (Phase 8)", aimed at providing Quranic, pre-primary, and adult education to over 1.45 crore students nationwide.
The initiative has also created employment opportunities for over 76,670 imams, muezzins and religious educators.
In a significant step for interfaith representation, the ECNEC approved a project to construct a Bangladesh Buddhist Monastery Complex in Lumbini, Nepal, with an estimated budget of Tk 68.08 crore, preserving the country's Buddhist heritage at the birthplace of Lord Buddha.
Besides, the ministry launched the second phase of the "Motivational programme through imams for improving quality of life in haor areas and biodiversity conservation" aimed at raising awareness on issues such as terrorism, militancy, drug abuse, women and child rights, dowry, child marriage and environmental conservation through Friday sermons.
