Bangladesh has signed the official Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia for the year 2027. The bilateral agreement was signed on Monday (November 9) at 7:00 PM local time in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Minister for Religious Affairs Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaikoabad) signed the agreement on behalf of Bangladesh, while Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah signed on behalf of Saudi Arabia.

During the signing ceremony, the Religious Affairs Minister held detailed discussions with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister regarding the progress of Bangladesh's overall Haj management. Following the completion of the agreement, the Minister announced that the bilateral Hajj pact between the two countries was concluded successfully.

He noted that in response to a special request from the Bangladesh government, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah immediately increased the quota by an additional 5,000. As a result, the total Hajj quota for Bangladesh for 2027 stands at 83,500.

Last year, a total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh performed Hajj under both government and private management.

Elaborating on the bilateral meeting, the Minister added that the issue of tent capacity limitations in Mina came up during discussions regarding quota allocation. However, despite these spatial constraints, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister assured that if any other country fails to send pilgrims according to their allocated quota or if a nation's quota is cancelled, granting that quota to Bangladesh on a priority basis will be given sincere consideration.

He stated that the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister explicitly pledged, "We will do whatever is necessary for you (Bangladesh)."

The Religious Affairs Minister expressed deep gratitude to the Royal Saudi Government, praising the wise and visionary leadership of Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud. He also offered sincere thanks for the quota increase and overall support to Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiah, and all concerned officials.

The Minister emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the current government is working relentlessly to make Hajj management more streamlined, transparent, and service-oriented. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to continuously improving services and ensuring administrative transparency for the guests of Almighty Allah.

The signing ceremony was attended by Saudi Assistant Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Al-Hassan Al-Monakha, Secretary of the Ministry of Religious Affairs Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, Additional Secretary of the Haj Wing Dr. Ayatul Islam, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiah, Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Delwar Hossain, Consul General at the Bangladesh Consulate in Jeddah Sakhawat Hossain, Hajj Counsellor Kamrul Islam, alongside senior officials from both Bangladeshi and Saudi Hajj and Umrah ministries.