4,978 pilgrims to get Tk 82mn refunds from surplus funds as Hajj housing costs come in lower

Hajj pilgrims under the government scheme will receive refunds ranging from Tk 5,000 to over Tk 53,000 due to cost savings this year

The government will refund over Tk 82.89 million to 4,978 Hajj pilgrims who travelled under its management this year after housing and service costs came in below estimates.

On Sunday, Religious Affairs Advisor AFM Khalid Hossain said the refunds will be sent directly to the pilgrims’ bank accounts. The cost savings resulted from securing lower-than-expected rents for accommodation and, in some cases, reduced service charges.

“The government has no commercial motive in Hajj management,” Khalid said.

“Serving pilgrims is our only objective. Since housing was secured at lower rates than initially projected, surplus funds from the Hajj packages will be returned to the pilgrims.”

Under General Hajj Package-1, full-package pilgrims who stayed in House 4 and House 6 will each receive Tk 5,315, he said.

He added that those who took the short package and stayed in House 4 will receive Tk 23,027 each. Pilgrims in House 5 on the full package will get Tk 13,570 each. No short-package pilgrims stayed in Houses 5 or 6.

Khalid said for General Hajj Package-2, pilgrims who stayed in House 1 will receive Tk 19,192 (full package) and Tk 51,692 (short package). Refunds for those in House 2 will be Tk 21,142 and Tk 53,642, respectively. Full-package pilgrims in House 3 will receive Tk 24,262; no short-package pilgrims were accommodated there.

Hossain praised this year’s Hajj operation as a “milestone” in Bangladesh’s management history of pilgrimage.

“We completed all formalities in time, including registration, fund transfers through IBN, online allocation of tents in Mina-Arafat via Nusuk Masa platform, housing and service contracts, visa processing, and flight scheduling,” he said.

He credited the ministry’s proactive approach for avoiding disruptions.

“There were no flight issues, major delays, or chaos. Every registered pilgrim from Bangladesh successfully performed Hajj.”

The advisor also warned the public against scams.

“Refunds and financial assistance from the ministry are only sent to official bank accounts. We never call people to request card numbers or mobile banking PINs. Anyone doing so is a fraudster.”

Hossain added that 892 pilgrims went missing during this year’s Hajj, but 891 were found. “Sadly, 45 pilgrims died, all of whom had pre-existing health conditions,” he said.