HAAB seeks to raise Hajj quota by 20,000

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has urged the government to seek an increase in Bangladesh’s Hajj quota for 2027 to accommodate around 20,000 of additional applicants currently on the waiting list.

The association has also called for the immediate release of around SAR 3 million (BDT 9.81 crore) allegedly withheld by the Saudi authorities from the IBAN accounts of Bangladeshi Hajj agencies following the 2026 Hajj operation.

At a press conference held at a hotel in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, on Monday, the demands were made. HAAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder presented the association’s written statement, while its President Syed Golam Sarwar responded to questions from journalists. Other HAAB leaders were also present.

According to HAAB, the 2027 Hajj is expected to be held on May 16, 2027, subject to the sighting of the moon. The Saudi government has set Bangladesh’s Hajj quota at 78,500 pilgrims for 2027 from previously allocated quota of 1,27,198 due to poor response in the recent years for political instability.

However, around 20,000 applicants are currently on the waiting list following a strong response to registration.

HAAB attributed the increased demand for Hajj to an improvement in the country’s political and economic situation compared with previous years. To address the situation, the association has called for the restoration of Bangladesh’s previously determined quota of 127,198 pilgrims, or at least an additional quota of 20,000 pilgrims. The association also raised concerns over approximately SAR 3 million reportedly being held by the Saudi authorities after the 2026 Hajj operation.

Farid Ahmed Majumder said the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah had withheld the money from the IBAN accounts of Hajj agencies and sought to justify the amount as medical expenses. “We were surprised by the decision because neither the government,  Hajj agencies nor pilgrims were informed about any such liability through the Hajj agreement or through any prior communication,” he said.