Even after the designated quota of 78,500 persons for the Hajj pilgrimage in 2027 has been fulfilled, a large number of Bangladeshi people are still waiting to be enlisted to perform Hajj in the coming session.

In this situation, the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has requested an additional 20,000 Hajj quotas from the Saudi government.

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

The HAAB Secretary General said that this year, they fulfilled the Hajj quota well ahead of the designated time. Even after that, more than 20,000 Hajj pilgrims are still waiting to register. Many of them have prepared themselves mentally and financially for the Hajj.

He said that, due to the quota system, many families were unable to register the names of all family members who intended to go to Hajj this year. 

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

Farid Ahmed said the original Hajj quota for Bangladesh is one lakh 27 thousand 198 people. The Saudi government has set a new quota of 78,500 people for Bangladesh in 2027, considering the decrease in the number of Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims over the past few years.

“If the Minister of Religious Affairs contacts the relevant ministers and officials of the Saudi government, you can resolve the issue of getting additional quotas for Hajj pilgrims,” he hoped. 

It is expected that the holy Hajj of the next year will be held on 15 May (9 Zilhaj 1448 Hijri), subject to moon sighting.

Source: BSS