Bangladesh’s 2027 Hajj quota increased to 83,500 after deal with Saudi Arabia

Bangladesh’s Hajj quota for 2027 has been increased by 5,000 to 83,500 following the signing of a bilateral agreement with Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Monday.

The agreement was signed at 7pm local time by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) on behalf of Bangladesh and Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah on behalf of Saudi Arabia.

Speaking after the signing ceremony, the religious affairs minister said the bilateral Hajj agreement had been concluded successfully.

He said the Saudi minister had immediately approved an additional 5,000 places in response to a special request from the Bangladesh government, taking the country's total quota for 2027 to 83,500.

A total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh performed Hajj last year under government and private management.

The minister said the capacity limitations of tents in Mina, Saudi Arabia, had been discussed during the bilateral meeting in connection with the allocation of Hajj quotas.

Despite the constraints, the Saudi minister assured Bangladesh that if any country failed to send pilgrims according to its allocated quota or had its quota cancelled, the possibility of reallocating those places to Bangladesh on a priority basis would be considered favourably.

The Saudi minister also assured Bangladesh of his country's support, saying, "We will do whatever is necessary for you."

The religious affairs minister expressed deep gratitude to the Saudi government, praising the leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

He also thanked Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafar H Bin Abiyah and other officials concerned for their support in increasing the quota.

The minister said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was working to make Hajj management easier, more transparent and service-oriented.