‘Registration fees of Hajj pilgrims can be refunded or kept for next year’

People who have already paid for registration to perform Hajj this year will be able to take back their money if they want.

Talking to The Daily Star this evening, Nurul Islam, secretary to the religious affairs ministry, said they will hold an emergency meeting tomorrow on how to refund fees to those who had already enrolled themselves with the intention to perform Hajj this year.

"We will work out how they [intended hajis] can get their money refunded without any hassle and [while] maintaining social distancing amid Covid-19 outbreak," the secretary said.

"But if anyone wants to keep the money for next year's Hajj, that is also possible," he said.

The religious affairs secretary said around 66,000 Bangladeshis registered to go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj this year.

Saudi Arabia yesterday announced that a limited number of only those pilgrims who are already residing in Saudi Arabia will be able to perform Hajj this year and no foreign pilgrims would be allowed in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Earlier on February 24, the Cabinet approved the draft Hajj Package-2020, fixing the minimum cost for an intending pilgrim at Tk 3.15 lakh under package-3, managed by the government.

The Hajj will be observed on July 31 this year depending on the sighting of the moon.