|| The Ministry of Religious Affairs today announced the government and private Hajj packages for 2027, with the minimum Hajj package fixed at Taka 505,648 and the Hajj airfare fixed at Taka 130,000 following the Prime Minister's initiative.The government has introduced two Hajj packages under the public management system and one general package under the private management system.Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain Kaikobad said the Hajj airfare has been reduced by Taka 24,830 from last year's rate following the Prime Minister's initiative.He announced the 2027 Hajj packages and guidelines at a press conference held at the Ministry of Religious Affairs at the Secretariat here today.The minister said the 2026 Hajj was completed successfully and that the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had praised Bangladesh's Hajj management.He said a disciplined and effective Hajj management system was ensured this year under the directive of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman through his close supervision and the sincere efforts of all concerned.He said the Saudi government has introduced several important changes for the 2027 Hajj to make the management system more modern and service-oriented.Accommodation in Makkah and Madinah, transportation, catering, tents and other services have been brought under an integrated service package. Instead of the previous four service packages, there will now be three, while half-board catering has been made mandatory.He expressed hope that these changes would further improve the quality of services for Hajj pilgrims.The minister said the government is working to ensure an easy, affordable, humane and expatriate-friendly Hajj management system in line with its election pledge. As part of that effort, he said, it has been possible to further reduce the Hajj airfare through the Prime Minister's personal initiative.He said the airfare was Taka 167,820 in 2025, while it has been reduced to Taka 130,000 for 2027.The price of Government Hajj Package-1 has been fixed at Taka 615,263. Under this package, accommodation will be provided within one to one-and-a-half kilometres of the Holy Haram in Makkah and in the Markazi area of Madinah. Pilgrims will stay in Zone-2 tents in Mina, receive services under Service Package-3, and meals will be provided through the Moallem. Room upgrades and short-duration package facilities will also be available upon payment of additional charges.Government Hajj Package-2 has been priced at Taka 505,648. Under this package, accommodation will be provided within two to three kilometres of the Holy Haram in Makkah and within a maximum distance of 800 metres of Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah. Pilgrims will stay in Zone-5 tents in Mina, receive services under Service Package-3, and meals will be provided through the Moallem. If a hotel is located more than two kilometres away, Salawat bus services must be arranged in accordance with Saudi government regulations.The minister said a General Hajj Package has been fixed at Taka 513,648 for private Hajj agencies. Under this package, accommodation must be provided within a maximum distance of three kilometres of the Holy Haram in Makkah and within one kilometre of Masjid-e-Nabawi in Madinah. A maximum of six pilgrims will be allowed in each room. Zone-5 tents in Mina, Service Package-3 and meals through the Moallem have been made mandatory.Kaikobad said no private Hajj package below the government-prescribed service standard would be allowed. All packages must be published on the Hajj portal and the respective agencies' websites. No package can be announced without including the costs of Dam-e-Shukr, Dam-e-Qiran and catering, he added.The minister said Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims staying abroad will be able to undergo health examinations, receive vaccinations and apply for Hajj visas from their countries of residence. The government is also working to enable them to travel directly to Saudi Arabia from the countries where they are currently residing.He said Hajj registration for 2027 will begin on September 24, 2026. Prospective pilgrims will be able to complete primary registration by selecting a package through the Hajj portal and depositing Taka 250,000. Final registration will be completed after payment of the remaining amount within the stipulated timeframe, he added.He said pilgrims' passports must remain valid until December 31, 2027. According to the tentative schedule, Hajj flights will begin on April 8, 2027, while the holy Hajj is expected to be performed on May 15, 2027.