Bangladesh Bank has ordered that the Saudi-stage costs of government-managed and private pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj be sent through Sonali Bank and other banks directly to International Bank Account Numbers (IBAN) in Saudi Arabia, Banglanews24 reports. The central bank's foreign exchange policy department issued the circular on Tuesday 10 November and sent it to the head offices of authorised dealer banks.
The move follows a memo from the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Ministry sources said that under the roadmap announced by the Saudi government, Bangladesh was given an initial quota of 78,500 pilgrims for 2027. Because Hajj agencies want more places, additional quota has been requested; if it is granted, the report says, about 96,000 Bangladeshis will be able to perform Hajj.
Under the circular, the Saudi-stage costs of all pilgrims registered under government management must be deposited at Sonali Bank's Local Office branch and Ramna Corporate branch, in a designated account run by the religious affairs ministry.
For pilgrims travelling with private Hajj agencies, payments for hotels in premium packages, mashair services (at Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah) and transport contracts must be sent through the banks directly to the providers' IBAN accounts in Saudi Arabia.
The government package puts the Saudi-stage cost at a minimum of Tk 362,911.86 and a maximum of Tk 470,090.42. Private or special packages may cost more.
The circular says the money must be sent as quickly as possible so that accommodation, tent bookings at Mina and Arafat and contracts with service companies can be completed within the deadlines of the Saudi roadmap. Bangladesh Bank has asked all banks and agencies to follow the instructions strictly to ensure the Hajj runs smoothly.
Photo: Adli Wahid / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Source: Banglanews24
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