Hajj conference opens in Jeddah as Bangladesh seeks quota rise to 127,198

The four-day sixth Hajj Conference and Exhibition was formally inaugurated in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, amid a colourful ceremony.

Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Governor of Makkah, formally inaugurated the international exhibition and conference on Sunday (8 November).

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) was present at the inaugural ceremony.

Also present were Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Jaafar H. Bin Abiyah, religious ministers and government representatives from around 120 countries, Religious Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad NDC, Golam Sarowar, president of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB), and its secretary general Farid Ahmed Majumder.

More than 325 international and local organisations are taking part in this year's exhibition, aimed at modernising the Hajj sector and ensuring smart solutions and technology-based services.

Meanwhile, the final Hajj agreement between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh is due to be signed on Monday (9 November). Bangladesh's Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) and Saudi Hajj and Umrah Minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah will sign the bilateral agreement on behalf of their countries.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad said he will demand in the bilateral meeting with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister that Bangladesh's current quota be raised from 72,500 to 127,198, the earlier level, in line with the OIC resolution on quotas proportional to the population of Muslim countries.

However, sources in the Saudi Hajj and Umrah ministry say demand for Hajj pilgrims has risen from every country in the world, but there are not enough tents in Mina. How much of Bangladesh's demand the Saudi government can meet will only be known after a few more days.

It is worth noting that in the past few years, the number of Hajj pilgrims from Bangladesh fell sharply due to political instability, and as Bangladesh could not fill its quota, the Saudi government reduced it and distributed it according to the demand of other countries.

But after the present government under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office, political stability has returned to Bangladesh, people's economic capacity has grown compared with before, and the management of the 2026 Hajj was smoother and more comfortable than in previous years. As public trust in the Religious Affairs Ministry has grown, about 20,000 additional devout Muslims have registered this year to take part in the 2027 Hajj.

As soon as the news of the rise in Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims came, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, while undergoing treatment in Singapore, contacted the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister Dr. Tawfiq bin Rabiah directly, and a DO letter was sent from the Religious Affairs Ministry to the Saudi Hajj and Umrah ministry.

In addition, through firm diplomatic efforts, the Saudi government has already increased the quota by 5,000 for the 2027 Hajj within a short time.