HAAB seeks 20,000 additional Hajj quotas for 2027

The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has sought 20,000 additional Hajj slots from Saudi Arabia after Bangladesh’s designated quota of 78,500 pilgrims for 2027 was filled, leaving more than 20,000 people waiting for registration.

HAAB made the request at a press conference at a hotel in Rajarbagh in Dhaka on Monday.
HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder spoke at the press conference.

Farid Ahmed said Bangladesh’s Hajj quota for 2027 had been filled well ahead of the designated deadline. Despite this, more than 20,000 intending pilgrims were still waiting for an opportunity to register.

He said many of them had already made mental and financial preparations for performing Hajj.
According to the HAAB secretary general, the quota system had also prevented some families from registering all members who intended to perform Hajj together.

“Therefore, it is necessary to request the Saudi government to consider the matter of those devotees humanely,” he said.

Farid Ahmed said Bangladesh’s original Hajj quota was 127,198 pilgrims. However, against the backdrop of a decline in the number of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims in recent years, the Saudi government had set the quota at 78,500 for Bangladesh in 2027.

He expressed hope that the issue could be resolved if the Religious Affairs Minister contacted relevant Saudi ministers and officials to seek an increase in the quota.

The HAAB secretary general said such an initiative could make it possible to secure additional slots for the Bangladeshi pilgrims who were still waiting for registration.

The next Hajj is expected to be held on May 15, 2027 (9 Zilhaj 1448 Hijri), subject to the sighting of the moon.