The number of Hajj pilgrims will be lesser by around 33 per cent this year from the expected target of around 65,000, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB).
A total of 45,416 intending pilgrims have deposited their 'Moallem fee' until the last date on July 13, to perform Hajj this year of them, 7,363 were ballotee and 38,053 non-ballottee pilgrims.
Leaders of HAAB, an association of 330 Hajj agencies, told the FE that the number of Hajj pilgrims fell due to the government's new rule for paying Moallem fee much ahead of the occasion.
Abdus Shukkur, former HAAB president said that economic constraints, new rules for depositing Moallem fee were the main reasons for the slump in Hajj business this year.
He also said: "We think that the general election scheduled for December might be another potential reason for the drop in number of hajj pilgrims."
The Hajj is likely be take place on December 7 or December 8 depending on the sighting of the Moon, and the national elections as per the election road map was also planned in December this year.
Moulana Yakub Sharafati, secretary general of HAAB said the increase in the airfare has also discouraged many Muslims from performing Hajj.
This year, the Dhaka-Jeddah plane fare has been fixed at US$ 1350. Chittagong/Sylhet- Jeddah is $ 1450.
Bangladesh Biman Airlines transport most of the Hajj pilgrims while Saudi Airline carry a small number of Hajis. Hajj flights generally start a month before the Hajj.
HAAB secretary, however, urged the government to declare open sky policy for the interest of the country's thousands of Hajis as every year they suffer much due to mismanagement by the national carrier.
Mohammed Faruk, HAAB president told the FE that cancellation of around 60 hajj agencies might be another reason for the drop in the number of Hajj pilgrims this year.
Source: The Financial Express, Dated:2008-08-13
A total of 45,416 intending pilgrims have deposited their 'Moallem fee' until the last date on July 13, to perform Hajj this year of them, 7,363 were ballotee and 38,053 non-ballottee pilgrims.
Leaders of HAAB, an association of 330 Hajj agencies, told the FE that the number of Hajj pilgrims fell due to the government's new rule for paying Moallem fee much ahead of the occasion.
Abdus Shukkur, former HAAB president said that economic constraints, new rules for depositing Moallem fee were the main reasons for the slump in Hajj business this year.
He also said: "We think that the general election scheduled for December might be another potential reason for the drop in number of hajj pilgrims."
The Hajj is likely be take place on December 7 or December 8 depending on the sighting of the Moon, and the national elections as per the election road map was also planned in December this year.
Moulana Yakub Sharafati, secretary general of HAAB said the increase in the airfare has also discouraged many Muslims from performing Hajj.
This year, the Dhaka-Jeddah plane fare has been fixed at US$ 1350. Chittagong/Sylhet- Jeddah is $ 1450.
Bangladesh Biman Airlines transport most of the Hajj pilgrims while Saudi Airline carry a small number of Hajis. Hajj flights generally start a month before the Hajj.
HAAB secretary, however, urged the government to declare open sky policy for the interest of the country's thousands of Hajis as every year they suffer much due to mismanagement by the national carrier.
Mohammed Faruk, HAAB president told the FE that cancellation of around 60 hajj agencies might be another reason for the drop in the number of Hajj pilgrims this year.
Source: The Financial Express, Dated:2008-08-13
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