NIN365 Desk, Kolkata : In a significant turn of events, the cost for Maldivians to undertake Umrah, a voluntary pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year, has skyrocketed to 2,000 Maldivian Rufiyaa. This surge in cost threatens to place a heavy burden on prospective pilgrims, especially those hailing from lower-income backgrounds.
The Impact of Rising Umrah Costs :
The Umrah pilgrimage, while not obligatory, holds high merit in Islam and sees a vast number of participants from the Maldives each year. This sharp rise in costs, attributed to various factors including ballooning travel expenses, accommodation fees, and service charges essential to facilitate the pilgrimage, could potentially decimate the number of people able to undertake the journey.
This development might spur discussions within the community about the affordability and accessibility of fulfilling such significant religious practices as Umrah, particularly for those who are economically disadvantaged.
The Dwindling Number of Hajj Pilgrims :
Meanwhile, the annual Hajj pilgrimage, a mandatory religious duty for Muslims, has also seen a downward trend. The pilgrimage for 2024 from Jammu and Kashmir will automatically select all applicants as the number of aspirants has fallen below the total seats allocated by the Centre for J&K. The tally of applications received is a mere 7,800, while the allotted seats for Jammu and Kashmir surpass 11,000.
The decline in applications is attributed to financial constraints, with the steep cost of the Hajj pilgrimage acting as a significant deterrent. Last year, Hajj pilgrims from the Srinagar embarkation point were mandated to pay Rs 4.13 lakh per person, marking a notable escalation from previous years.
The Cost of Performing Hajj in 2024 :
Under the government’s management, the cost of performing Hajj in 2024 will be a minimum of Tk5.79 lakh, with an option to choose a special Hajj package at Tk9.36 lakh. Overall, 1,27,198 Bangladeshis will have the opportunity to perform Hajj next year, with 10,198 people making the trip under government management and the remaining 1,17,000 through private agencies.
The general Hajj package cost has been reduced by Tk92,450 compared to last year, and airfare has been reduced by Tk2,997 to Tk1,94,800. Saudi Arabia will commence issuing visas to prospective Hajjis from 1 March, and flights ferrying Hajjis will take off from 9 May. According to the president of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), the difference in costs between government and private Hajj packages will be minimal.
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