Religious Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain. File Photo

DHAKA, Feb 10, 2026 (BSS) - Religious Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain today 
said pilgrims under Hajj Package-1 and 2 will get more than Taka three crore 
back after completing Hajj of 2026.

"We have successfully reduced hotel rent in Makkah and Medina by 1,000 Saudi 
riyals and transportation cost by 100 Saudi riyals per pilgrim," he said.
 
Addressing a press briefing at the ministry conference room on the occasion 
of his one and a half year tenure, he said, "We have tried to work 
specifically on the desire of people to perform Hajj at a reasonable cost."

"Through repeated communication and negotiations with the Ministry of Civil 
Aviation and Tourism, the airfare for the 2025 Hajj was reduced by about Taka 
27,000 while Taka 13,000 was reduced this year. A total of Taka 40,000 was 
reduced in the last two years," the adviser added. 

He said that service charge per pilgrim under Hajj Package-3 has been reduced 
by 600 Saudi riyals through fruitful communication with the service provider 
company.

"We have brought accommodation for pilgrims closer to Haram Sharif. As a 
result, inconvenience for travel has been reduced and they will be able to 
perform prayer times in Haram Sharif," Hossain said.

He said, "I've performed my duties with transparency, accountability and 
honesty for the last one and a half years. I have tried to make the ministry 
and its subordinate departments and organisations active, dynamic and 
fruitful."

Highlighting various initiatives of Islamic Foundation, the adviser said that 
163 people were appointed against vacant posts while the appointment process 
of 197 people was not completed due to litigation.
 
However, the appointment process will be completed subject to settlement of 
cases as soon as possible, he said.

Besides, the ministry promoted 29 people from grade-9 and 32 people from 
grade 20 as per the rules, he said adding that appointing of manpower against 
vacant posts from grade 9 and above was under process.

Religious secretary Md Kamal Uddin, additional secretaries Md Ayatul Islam 
and Md Fazlur Rahman and others were present, among others, at the briefing.