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Saudi Arabia assures Bangladesh of unused Hajj quotas
Published : Saturday, 14 November, 2026 at 5:06 PM
Observer Online Report
Saudi Arabia has given positive assurances that unused Hajj quotas allocated to other countries could be transferred to Bangladesh, alongside pledges to expand facilities for Bangladeshi pilgrims and strengthen bilateral cooperation in Hajj and Umrah management.
The assurances came during a high-level bilateral meeting between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia ahead of the signing of the 2027 Hajj agreement in Jeddah on November 9.
According to a press release issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Saturday (November 14), Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaikobad) led the Bangladesh delegation, while Saudi Arabia's Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah led the Saudi delegation.
During the meeting, the Bangladeshi minister expressed respect for Saudi Arabia's leadership and praised the Saudi government's initiatives and services in managing the annual Hajj pilgrimage. He also thanked the kingdom for its continued support for Bangladeshi pilgrims and stressed the need to strengthen communication, coordination and information exchange between the two countries.
The minister expressed hope that the historic and brotherly relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia would deepen further under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister praised Bangladesh's Hajj management system and assured continued support for Bangladeshi pilgrims. He also expressed his country's willingness to give Bangladesh priority in various Hajj-related matters.
In particular, he gave positive assurances that Bangladesh could receive unused Hajj quotas allocated to other countries if those countries fail to fill or fully utilise their allocations. He said Saudi Arabia would prioritise Bangladesh and extend necessary cooperation if such an opportunity arose.
"We will do whatever is necessary for Bangladesh," the Saudi minister said.
He also expressed interest in expanding cooperation between the two countries in Hajj management, Umrah and other related areas.
Saudi Assistant Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Al Hassan Al-Manakhrah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah bin Dhafer bin Ubaiah and senior officials concerned attended the meeting.
The Bangladesh delegation included Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, Additional Secretary Dr Md Ayatul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md Delwar Hossain, Bangladesh Consul General in Jeddah Md Sakhawat Hossain, Hajj Counsellor Md Kamrul Islam and Hajj Consul Md Mazharul Islam.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs expressed hope that the meeting would create additional opportunities for Bangladeshi pilgrims and further expand bilateral cooperation in Hajj and Umrah management.
- MaT
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
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