HAAB pushes for diplomatic efforts to raise Hajj quota by 20,000

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has called for intensified diplomatic efforts to secure an additional 20,000 Hajj slots for Bangladeshi pilgrims in 2027, as thousands of prospective pilgrims remain on the waiting list despite the country’s existing quota being filled.

The association has also urged pilgrims who completed preliminary registration to pay the remaining amount of their selected Hajj packages and complete final registration by December 7, 2026, warning that failure to meet the deadline could lead to cancellation of their registration.

HAAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder made the demands at a press conference held at a hotel in Naya Paltan, Dhaka, on Monday. HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar and other association leaders were also present. 

The HAAB leaders appreciated the role of Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad for his effort to extend Hajj quota and recover their outstanding money from the Saudi authority.

Farid Ahmed said Saudi Arabia had allocated 78,500 Hajj slots for Bangladesh in 2027, although the country’s original quota was 127,198. He attributed the reduction in recent years to political instability and economic difficulties that had affected the number of Bangladeshi pilgrims travelling for Hajj.

However, following the formation of the new democratic government and its initiatives, interest in performing Hajj has increased significantly, resulting in the existing quota being filled within the stipulated registration period.

He said more than 20,000 additional prospective pilgrims were now waiting for the opportunity to perform Hajj. Many had already made financial and family preparations, while in some cases, certain family members had completed registration and others remained on the waiting list.

Considering their situation, HAAB believes Bangladesh should receive at least 20,000 additional slots. The association urged the government to strengthen diplomatic engagement with Saudi authorities, expressing confidence that Religious Affairs Minister ‘s close relations with Saudi Hajj and Umrah officials could help resolve the issue.

Regarding registration, Farid said all preliminarily registered pilgrims must pay the outstanding amount of their packages by December 7 to secure final registration for the 2027 Hajj.

Meanwhile, HAAB announced that approximately 3 million Saudi riyals, withheld by Saudi authorities under the medical fee category during this year’s Hajj operations, had been recovered with the cooperation of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Farid thanked the religious affairs minister and officials concerned for their prompt intervention, while requesting that the remaining outstanding amount also be refunded quickly.
HAAB also expressed gratitude to the Saudi government, the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka, the Bangladesh Embassy in Riyadh and other relevant authorities for their cooperation in Hajj management.