Why Hajj package should not be declared illegal: High Court

The High Court has issued a rule asking as to why the Hajj package announced by the government for 2024 should not be declared illegal.

The court also wanted to know why the package should not be reduced and rescheduled.

An HC bench comprising of Justice Mustafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md. Atabullah issued this rule on Monday.

The authorities concerned have been asked to respond to this rule within the next two weeks.

Lawyer Ashraf-Uz Zaman stood on behalf of the writ in the court.

The writ states that the cost of per passenger of the Hajj package of 2024 (Hijri-1445) is extremely unreasonable, which is beyond the reach of people.

In the gazette of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, house rent in Makkah and Madinah has been set at 169, 410 Bangladeshi Taka, which is very high.

This suggests that the government has charging the pilgrims extra and fixed the rent in favor of the house owners.

The bus fare has been fixed at Tk36,834 in the gazette, which is very high. And fixing the sale price of Zamzam well water is very objectionable. No government can take financial advantage by selling this blessed water.

The writ also states that the service charge for Mina-Arafah-Muzdalifa of Saudi Arabia and five days stay in Mina under 'D' category is fixed at 62,271 in Bangladeshi Taka, which is extra. Such imposition of money on pilgrims proves that Bangladesh or Saudi government is very interested in earning money from the guests of the Almighty. Moreover, visa fee, electronic service, ground service fee and camp fee of 9000 in Bangladeshi Taka have been newly added to this year's Hajj package, which is completely baseless.

The Saudi Arabian government cannot impose this visa fee. Because all Hajj pilgrims are going to holy Mecca and Medina to fulfill their sacred duty to Almighty Allah, said the petition.