Bangladesh to get priority for other countries' unused Hajj quota, Saudi Arabia assures

Saudi Arabia has given a positive assurance that Bangladesh will be given priority when unused Hajj quotas from other countries are allocated. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has shown interest in allocating the extra quota to Bangladesh if a country cannot fully use its allotted quota.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs disclosed the information in a press release on Saturday (14 November).

The assurance was given at a high-level bilateral meeting between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia held in Jeddah ahead of the signing of the 2027 Hajj agreement. At the meeting, held on Monday evening (9 November), Bangladesh was led by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain (Kaykobad) and Saudi Arabia by its Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah.

At the meeting, the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister said, 'We will do whatever needs to be done for Bangladesh.' He expressed interest in continuing full cooperation for Bangladeshi pilgrims and in giving Bangladesh priority on various Hajj-related matters.

He also praised Bangladesh's Hajj management, conveyed sincere thanks to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, and expressed interest in expanding cooperation between the two countries in Hajj and Umrah management and related fields.

Bangladesh's religious affairs minister, for his part, praised the Saudi government's initiatives and services in Hajj management and thanked it for its continued cooperation for Bangladeshi pilgrims. He stressed strengthening communication, coordination and information exchange between the two countries.

He also expressed hope that the historic and fraternal relationship between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia would deepen and grow stronger in the days ahead under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Assistant Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr Al Hasan Al Manakharah, Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Ibn Dafer Ibn Ubaiya, and other senior officials.

Bangladesh was represented by Religious Affairs Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, Additional Secretary Dr Md Ayatul Islam, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md Delwar Hossain, Consul General in Jeddah Md Sakhawat Hossain, Counsellor (Hajj) Md Kamrul Islam and Consul (Hajj) Md Mazharul Islam.