Bangladesh Signs 2027 Hajj Agreement with Saudi Arabia, Quota Rises to 83,500

Bangladesh has signed its Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia for 2027. Under the agreement, a total of 83,500 people from Bangladesh will be able to perform Hajj next year. At the special request of the Bangladesh government, Saudi Arabia has allocated an additional quota of 5,000 pilgrims.

The bilateral agreement was signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at 7pm local time on Monday (November 9). Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaikobad), Bangladesh’s Minister for Religious Affairs, signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh, while Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah signed on behalf of Saudi Arabia. The Ministry of Religious Affairs later confirmed the information in a statement.

After the signing ceremony, the religious affairs minister said the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister had immediately approved an additional quota of 5,000 pilgrims following Bangladesh’s special request. As a result, Bangladesh’s total Hajj quota for 2027 has increased to 83,500.

The two sides also held detailed discussions on progress in Hajj management and the increase in the quota. During the meeting, the limited capacity of tents in Mina, Saudi Arabia, was also discussed.

However, Saudi authorities assured Bangladesh that it would be given priority for any additional quota if another country failed to use its allocated quota or if a country’s quota was cancelled.

The religious affairs minister said the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister had assured Bangladesh of sincere cooperation and pledged to provide all necessary support.

He expressed his gratitude to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 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 increasing Bangladesh’s Hajj quota and providing overall support.

The minister also said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, was working to make Hajj management easier, more transparent and more service-oriented. Efforts to improve services for pilgrims and ensure transparency in administrative activities would continue.

Last year, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshis performed Hajj under government and private arrangements. The new agreement creates an opportunity to increase the number of pilgrims next year.

The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Assistant Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Al Hassan Al-Monakhah; Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Munshi Alauddin Al Azad; Additional Secretary of the Hajj Wing Dr Mohammad Ayatul Islam; Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah; Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Delwar Hossain; Consul General of the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah Mohammad Sakhawat Hossain; Hajj Counsellor Mohammad Kamrul Islam; and senior officials from the Hajj and Umrah ministries of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.