HAB Seeks 20,000 Additional Hajj Slots for Bangladesh in 2027

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAB) has demanded an additional 20,000 Hajj slots for Bangladesh in 2027, saying more than 20,000 prospective pilgrims are currently on the waiting list despite being financially and mentally prepared to perform the pilgrimage.

The organisation said diplomatic efforts should be intensified to persuade the Saudi government to allocate additional slots to accommodate the waiting pilgrims.

HAB President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder made the demand at a press conference on Monday.

The press conference also covered the latest developments in preparations for the 2027 Hajj, the demand for an increased quota, the refund of medical fees withheld in Saudi Arabia, and the deadline for payment of outstanding package fees.

According to HAB, the 2027 Hajj is expected to take place on May 15, subject to the sighting of the moon.

Saudi Arabia has allocated 78,500 Hajj slots for Bangladesh this year, although the country's regular quota is 127,198. The Saudi authorities reduced the allocation following a decline in the number of Bangladeshi pilgrims in recent years amid political instability and economic difficulties.

HAB leaders said the number of prospective pilgrims had increased significantly this year following various initiatives taken by the current government.

Although the allocated quota was filled within the stipulated period, more than 20,000 additional applicants remain on the waiting list. In some families, multiple members have completed registration, but others have been unable to register because of the quota restrictions.

In this situation, HAB said an additional allocation of at least 20,000 slots was necessary.

The association called on Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaikobad) to intensify diplomatic engagement with the Saudi government.

HAB leaders said the minister maintained good relations with senior officials of Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and expressed optimism that his personal initiative could help resolve the problem.

Although the minister has reportedly assured them of efforts in this regard, prospective pilgrims on the waiting list remain anxious.

At the press conference, HAB also announced that nearly SAR 3 million belonging to Bangladeshi Hajj agencies had been withheld by the Saudi authorities this year in the name of medical fees, without any prior announcement or notice.

After learning about the matter, HAB held a press conference and sought urgent government intervention to recover the money.

Following initiatives and assistance from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the withheld SAR 3 million was recovered on Sunday, the association said.

HAB leaders expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain, State Minister Muhammad Shamim Kaiser Lincoln, Religious Affairs Secretary Munsi Alauddin Al Azad and other officials concerned for their role in securing the refund.

They also urged the ministry to arrange the refund of any remaining outstanding amount as soon as possible.

The association thanked Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohammad Delwar Hossain, Counsellor (Hajj) at the Bangladesh Consulate in Makkah Md Kamrul Islam, Consul (Hajj) Mohammad Mazharul Islam, Bangladesh's Consul General in Jeddah and other officials involved in Hajj operations.

HAB also expressed appreciation to Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah and officials and employees of the Saudi Embassy for their cooperation in providing services to Bangladeshi pilgrims.

Regarding the 2027 Hajj payment schedule, HAB leaders said pilgrims who have completed preliminary registration must pay the full remaining amount of their Hajj packages by December 7, 2026.

Failure to pay the outstanding amount and complete final registration within the deadline will result in cancellation of preliminary registration, potentially jeopardising their participation in next year's Hajj.

The association therefore urged all preliminarily registered pilgrims to pay their remaining package fees within the stipulated time and complete their final registration.

HAB leaders also acknowledged the media's role in making Hajj management increasingly organised and successful.

They said the 2026 Hajj had been completed more successfully than in previous years and called for continued media cooperation to ensure smooth and orderly arrangements for the 2027 pilgrimage.