Bangladesh's Hajj quota for the 2027 pilgrimage season has been increased by 5,000, bringing the total allocation to 83,500 pilgrims. The increase follows a bilateral agreement signed in Jeddah on Monday between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia.
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) and Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfig bin Fawzan Al‑Rabiah signed the pact on behalf of their governments, underscoring the diplomatic coordination behind the decision.
In a statement after the signing, Minister Houssain said the bilateral discussions concluded successfully and highlighted that the additional allocation was granted after a special request from the Bangladesh government.
The previous Hajj season saw 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims travel to Saudi Arabia under a mix of government‑organized and private arrangements, indicating strong demand for the pilgrimage among Bangladesh's Muslim population.
During the talks, the two ministers also reviewed progress in Bangladesh's Hajj management system and addressed administrative challenges, notably constraints on tent accommodation capacity in Mina, the holy site where pilgrims stay.
The quota increase will enable an additional 5,000 Bangladeshi pilgrims to fulfill their religious duty, reinforcing the cooperative relationship between Dhaka and Riyadh and demonstrating Bangladesh's proactive engagement in managing its citizens' pilgrimage needs.
Both sides expressed optimism that the agreement will pave the way for further collaboration on Hajj logistics and broader bilateral initiatives.
Why it matters
The increased quota enables 5,000 more Bangladeshi pilgrims to perform Hajj, reflecting strengthened Bangladesh‑Saudi cooperation.