Published on 11:28 AM, June 08, 2016

Hajj registration ends tonight

Muslim pilgrims have reached Mina for the ritual stoning of the devil, the last major rite of the annual hajj and the scene of a devastating stampede last year. Photo: FILE

For pilgrims seeking to perform hajj in Saudi Arabia from Bangladesh, the process of online registration ends at 8:00pm tonight, a government notice says.

After the deadline ends, there will be a verification process. Those who have made a minimum deposit of Tk 1,28,000, to the government coffer and registered through a legal hajj agency will be allowed only.

So far, 90,000 pilgrims have registered for hajj, said a notice floated by the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ hajj-related division today.

The hajj, largest religious congregations of the Muslims, is likely to be held on September 12. From Bangladesh, a total of 1,01,758 pilgrims are expected to perform the hajj this year.

Hajj flights to carry Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will begin on August 4 and continue till September 5. The return flights would operate from September 17 to October 16.

On January 11, the government announced two Hajj packages -- setting Tk 3.05 lakh as minimum and Tk 3.6 lakh as maximum costs -- for anyone seeking to make the pilgrimage.

Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (Haab) has announced that each Bangladeshi would have to pay minimum Tk 3.05 lakh for performing this year's Hajj under private management.