Saudi Arabia returns Tk 10 crore withheld from Hajj pilgrims; Bangladesh seeks 20,000 more quota places for 2027

Saudi Arabia has returned 3,091,243 riyals that had been withheld from 340 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims in the 2026 season in the name of medical expenses beyond insurance coverage, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) has said.

The minister spoke at a press conference at the Secretariat on Sunday (November 1) about the refund of the pilgrims' medical expenses held back in Saudi Arabia. The returned amount is approximately Tk 10.23 crore in Bangladeshi currency.

The minister said that during the 2026 Hajj season, the Saudi authorities withheld a total of 3,091,243 riyals citing medical expenses of 340 Bangladeshi pilgrims. Of this, 2,676,951 riyals had been withheld against 310 pilgrims who travelled through Hajj agencies under private management.

Another 414,292 riyals had been withheld against 30 pilgrims who travelled under government management. After learning of the matter, the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah began working on it under the overall direction of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Through repeated communication, verification of information, submission of necessary documents and constructive discussions, steps were taken to recover the money.

Noting that there had been no precedent for such deductions in previous Hajj seasons, the minister said the money was finally recovered through the efforts of the ministry and the Hajj Office and through diplomatic coordination and cooperation with the Saudi authorities. The full amount was deposited on October 26 into the 'Nusuk' system of the Bangladesh Hajj Office, Jeddah.

The minister said, 'Our government's main commitment is to protect the rights of every citizen of the country and to safeguard national interests. Under the leadership and direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, the government is working to make Hajj management easier, more transparent and more service-oriented.'

He also said that, as part of ensuring transparency and accountability in Hajj management, a total of Tk 4,87,23,094 from the surplus funds of the 2026 Hajj has been refunded to the bank accounts of 4,341 pilgrims.

Bangladesh's quota for the 2027 Hajj is set at 78,500 pilgrims — 6,000 under government management and 72,500 under private management. Beyond this, an application has been made to increase the quota by another 20,000 pilgrims, the minister said.

On increasing the quota, the religious affairs minister said, 'I have personally written a letter and spoken about increasing the number of pilgrims.' He said the Saudi minister for Hajj and Umrah had assured him that he would try.

At the time, Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad said, 'Our minister will go for the Hajj agreement ahead. God willing, this (quota increase) will be settled before the agreement is signed.'

On Hajj preparations, the minister said it has been possible this time to rent houses in Madinah at comparatively lower prices and of better quality. In particular, for the first time, accommodation near the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah has been arranged for all pilgrims of the lowest package.