HAAB seeks additional 20,000 Hajj slots for Bangladesh in 2027

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

The association has also urged pilgrims who have completed preliminary registration to pay the remaining amount of their Hajj package and complete final registration by December 7, 2026.

HAAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder made the demands in a written statement at a press conference held on Monday. HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar also spoke at the event.

According to the written statement, Saudi Arabia has allocated a quota of 78,500 pilgrims for Bangladesh for the 2027 Hajj. However, around 20,000 additional prospective pilgrims remain on the waiting list even after the existing quota was filled within the stipulated period.

To ensure that these pilgrims also get the opportunity to perform Hajj, HAAB called for intensified diplomatic efforts to persuade the Saudi government to increase Bangladesh’s allocation.

The association also announced that approximately 3 million Saudi riyals, which had been withheld under the medical fee category during this year’s Hajj operations, had already been recovered.

HAAB expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the officials concerned for their cooperation in securing the refund. It also urged the authorities to expedite the return of the remaining outstanding amount.

Regarding the 2027 Hajj, the association said all pilgrims who have completed preliminary registration must pay the full remaining amount of their selected packages by December 7, 2026, to complete their final registration.

Failure to make the payment within the deadline could result in the cancellation of preliminary registration, potentially jeopardising the pilgrims’ plans to perform Hajj next year, the statement warned.

HAAB thanked the Saudi government and its embassy, the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia, and officials of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for their cooperation in Hajj-related activities.

The association also sought support from the media to ensure that preparations for the 2027 Hajj proceed smoothly and in an orderly manner.