<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has announced package for performing hajj under private management this year fixing minimum cost at Tk 6,72, 618.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">M Shahadat Hossain, president of HAAB, announced the package at a programme in the city on Thursday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year, the cost for performing hajj under private management has increased by Tk 1.49 lakh.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Earlier on Wednesday, the government fixed Tk 6,83,018 as the cost for each pilgrim to perform hajj this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hajj-2023 will be held on 9th day of Zilhaj (June 28) depending on moon sighting.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The government signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia over hajj on January 9.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the agreement, 15,000 people will be able to go to Hajj under government management while 1,12,198 can go under private management.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Biman Bangladesh Airlines will carry 50 percent passengers while Saudia Airlines will carry 50 percent passengers.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Besides, the age limit for Hajj pilgrims during the pandemic has been lifted by the Saudi government – paving the way for people over 65 to go for the significant pilgrimage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">According to the ‘Route to Mecca initiative’ deal, all hajj pilgrims will complete their pre-arrival immigration in Dhaka.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">In case of Covid vulnerable situation, the Saudi authorities can take a decision about the number of the pilgrimage.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This year, 70 percent Bangladeshi pilgrims will go through Jeddah Airport while the rest 30 percent will go through Madinah airport. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>