Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia sign 2027 hajj agreement in Jeddah; Total quota increased to 83,500

The official bilateral Hajj Agreement for the year 2027 was signed between Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a cordial and friendly atmosphere at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia today, Monday, at 7:00 PM local time.

Minister for Religious Affairs Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.

Following the execution of the agreement, the Religious Affairs Minister announced that the bilateral proceedings were concluded with complete success. He highlighted that, upon a special request from the Government of Bangladesh, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah instantly granted an additional allocation of 5,000 seats, raising Bangladesh's overall Hajj quota for 2027 to 83,500. In the previous Hajj season, a total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh performed Hajj under government and private arrangements combined.

During the bilateral talks, the Minister for Religious Affairs reviewed the comprehensive progress of Bangladesh's Hajj administration with his Saudi counterpart. The discussion addressed the constraints regarding tent accommodation capacity in Mina during quota allocation. However, despite these spatial constraints, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister assured that should any country fail to send its allocated number of pilgrims or have its quota cancelled, allocating such unutilized quotas to Bangladesh on a priority basis will be given sincere consideration. The Saudi Hajj Minister affirmed in clear terms: "We will do whatever is needed for you (Bangladesh)."

Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) expressed deep gratitude to the Royal Government of Saudi Arabia, commending the wise and visionary leadership of Saudi King and the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. He also extended sincere appreciation to Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfig bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah, and all officials concerned for the quota enhancement and overall administrative cooperation.

The Religious Affairs Minister reiterated that the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is working relentlessly to render Hajj management more accessible, transparent, and service-oriented. He reaffirmed that continuous government measures will remain underway to elevate service standards and maintain full transparency in administrative procedures for the pilgrims.

The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Al-Hassan bin Yahya Al-Mnakhrah, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, Additional Secretary (Hajj Wing) Dr. Md. Ayatul Islam, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md. Delwar Hossain, Consul General of Bangladesh in Jeddah Md. Sakhawat Hossain, Counselor (Hajj) Md. Kamrul Islam, alongside senior officials from both delegations.