Saudi Arabia grants 5,000 extra Hajj slots, 83,500 Bangladeshis can perform Hajj in 2027
Photo: Collected
Saudi Arabia has allocated a quota for another 5,000 Hajj pilgrims at the special request of the Bangladesh government. As a result, a total of 83,500 people from Bangladesh will get the opportunity to perform Hajj in 2027. The two countries have signed the Hajj agreement for 2027.
The bilateral agreement was signed in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, at 7pm local time on Monday. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaikobad) signed on behalf of Bangladesh and Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah on behalf of Saudi Arabia. A press release from the Ministry of Religious Affairs later gave this information.
After signing the agreement, the religious affairs minister said that at Bangladesh’s special request, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister immediately increased the quota by an additional 5,000 pilgrims. This brings Bangladesh’s total quota for 2027 to 83,500.
The bilateral meeting discussed in detail the progress of Hajj management and the increase in the quota. The limited capacity of tents in Mina, Saudi Arabia, was also raised in the discussion.
The Saudi authorities have given assurances that they will consider giving Bangladesh, on a priority basis, any extra quota if another country cannot fill its allocated quota or if any country’s quota is cancelled.
The religious affairs minister said the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister assured Bangladesh of sincere cooperation, saying all necessary assistance would be provided.
He expressed gratitude to Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Jafar H. bin Abiyah and other officials concerned for the increased quota and overall cooperation.
The religious affairs minister further said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government is working to make Hajj management simpler, more transparent and more service-oriented. Efforts will continue to improve the quality of services for pilgrims and ensure transparency in administrative activities.
Last year, a total of 78,500 people from Bangladesh performed Hajj under government and private management. The new agreement creates scope for the number of pilgrims to rise further next year.
Senior officials of the Hajj and Umrah ministries of the two countries, the ambassadors of Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia, and officials of the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah were present at the signing ceremony.
Background
For the 2027 Hajj, the Saudi government initially gave Bangladesh a quota of 78,500, while the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) had sought a further 20,000 slots on top of that — Jugantor reported this on 27 September.
By the numbers
Citing an official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Prothom Alo reported in January that 76,580 people had registered for the 2026 Hajj — 72,344 under private management and 4,260 under government management; the quota that year was 78,500. The original report puts the number of people who performed Hajj last year at 78,500; the figures differ between sources.
According to The Daily Star Bangla, Bangladesh’s quota in 2024 was 127,000, but 85,112 people performed Hajj.
Sources
Background sources: Jugantor, 27 September 2026; Prothom Alo, January 2026; The Daily Star Bangla, date not specified
