Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Friday night said that his government will try to further reduce the expenses of pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia from next year to facilitate the country’s Muslim devotees to perform the holy hajj at lower costs.

“We have reduced airfare for hajj flights by Tk 12,000 per ticket this year. We will try to reduce the cost from next year. InshaAllah, we can facilitate those who will go to hajj next time, to perform the hajj at a lower cost,” he said while inaugurating this year’s hajj flight at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Friday night.

The prime minister said, “We did not have much scope to do anything this year as almost all of the processes for this hajj had been completed before we formed the government. However, we tried our level best to do as much as we could.”

Seeking prayers from the hajj pilgrims, he said, “You are going to the house of the Almighty Allah. You are the guests of Allah. If you raise your hands to Allah, I believe Allah will grant your prayers. So, please, pray for the country’s people so that everyone can live in peace”.

Tarique Rahman, also the ruling BNP chairman, requested the pilgrims to pray to Allah for his government so that they can run the country well and address all crises, including unemployment.

He wished the pilgrims good health and a safe journey on the occasion of the hajj.

Earlier, the prime minister inaugurated Hajj flights at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on Friday night.

He formally inaugurated the first Hajj flight (BG3001) at 11:57 pm, scheduled to depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at 12:20am for King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, carrying 418 pilgrims.

Tarique Rahman arrived at the airport around 11:30pm and went straight inside the aircraft, where he joined a prayer, wishing successful completion of the Hajj rituals.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad), Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam (Rita), State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Abdullah Zafer bin Abiyah were present on the occasion, among others.

Earlier, the prime minister visited the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the city and exchanged pleasantries with the hajj pilgrims there.