Saudi Arabia Increases Bangladesh’s 2027 Hajj Quota

Bangladesh has signed a bilateral Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia for 2027, allowing 83,500 people from the country to perform the pilgrimage next year.

At Bangladesh's special request, Saudi Arabia has allocated an additional 5,000 places for Bangladeshi pilgrims.

The agreement was signed in Jeddah at 7pm local time on Monday (November 9). Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) 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 Religious Affairs Ministry announced the agreement in a statement.

After the signing, the Bangladeshi minister said the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister had immediately approved an additional 5,000 places following Bangladesh's special request. This brings the country's total Hajj quota for 2027 to 83,500.

The two sides also discussed progress in Hajj management and the increase in Bangladesh's quota during a bilateral meeting. Limitations on tent capacity in Mina, Saudi Arabia, were also raised.

Saudi authorities assured Bangladesh that any additional quota arising from another country's failure to use its allocated places, or the cancellation of another country's quota, would be considered for Bangladesh on a priority basis.

The Religious Affairs Minister said his Saudi counterpart had assured Bangladesh of all necessary cooperation.

He expressed gratitude to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Jafar H. Bin Abiyah and other officials for their support in increasing the quota and facilitating Hajj arrangements.

The minister added that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government 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, he said.

Last year, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshis performed Hajj under government and private arrangements. The new agreement creates an opportunity for more people from Bangladesh to undertake the pilgrimage in 2027.

Senior officials from the Hajj and Umrah ministries of both countries, the ambassadors of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, and officials from the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah attended the signing ceremony.