The government is refunding 4 crore 87 lakh 23 thousand 14 taka to 4,341 pilgrims who performed Hajj this year under government management. The refund is being issued because housing and service-charge costs came in lower than planned. Each pilgrim will receive up to a maximum of 164,190 taka.
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad shared the information at a press conference at the Secretariat on Sunday. At the event, refund checks were handed to 10 pilgrims. The rest will have their money sent to their bank accounts via electronic fund transfer.
The press conference said the refund resulted from housing in Saudi Arabia costing less than the allocation set in the Hajj package, along with reduced service charges. The 4,341 pilgrims who traveled under government arrangements will have 4 crore 87 lakh 23 thousand 14 taka refunded directly to their bank accounts. Twenty-three pilgrims whose medical costs exceeded their health insurance coverage will not receive this refund.
Hajj airfare to fall further in 2027
The religious affairs minister said that, on the prime minister’s special directive, airfare for 2026 Hajj pilgrims was reduced by 24,830 taka from the previous year. Airfare for the 2027 Hajj has been reduced further, set at just 130,000 taka.
Warning against fraud
The press conference said pilgrims do not need to provide debit or credit card numbers, or mobile banking PINs and OTPs, to receive their refunds. It urged pilgrims not to be deceived if anyone calls asking for such information. Deputy Religious Affairs Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser and Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad were present at the press conference.