Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia have signed the official bilateral Hajj agreement for 2027, increasing Bangladesh’s total Hajj quota by an additional 5,000 pilgrims to 83,500.
The agreement was signed on Monday (November 9) at 7:00 PM local time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a cordial and friendly atmosphere.
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaikobad) signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh, while Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, signed on behalf of the Kingdom.
During the meeting, the two ministers held detailed discussions on improvements in Bangladesh’s overall Hajj management system.
Following the signing ceremony, the Bangladeshi minister said the bilateral agreement had been successfully concluded. He added that, in response to a special request from the Bangladesh government, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister immediately approved an additional 5,000 Hajj slots, raising Bangladesh’s total quota for 2027 to 83,500.
In the previous Hajj season, a total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh performed Hajj under government and private management.
The issue of limited tent capacity in Mina was also discussed during the bilateral meeting. Despite these constraints, the Saudi minister assured Bangladesh that if any other country fails to utilize its allocated quota or relinquishes its slots, the possibility of reallocating those slots to Bangladesh would be given serious consideration on a priority basis.
The Saudi minister reportedly assured the Bangladeshi delegation, saying, “We will do whatever is necessary for you.”
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain expressed deep gratitude to the Saudi government, praising the visionary leadership of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
He also thanked Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah, and other officials for their support in increasing Bangladesh’s Hajj quota.
The minister said the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working continuously to make Hajj management easier, more transparent and service-oriented.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving services for Hajj pilgrims and ensuring transparency in administrative arrangements.
Several senior officials from Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia attended the signing ceremony, including Saudi Assistant Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Al Hassan Al-Monakha, Religious Affairs Ministry Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, Additional Secretary of the Hajj Wing Dr. Md. Ayatul Islam, and diplomats from both countries.
