Published: 12:10 AM, 21 July 2026
BD urges KSA to hold Hajj backup housing quota at 1%
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain had a meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya at the Saudi Embassy in Gulshan on Monday. -Agency
Bangladesh has urged Saudi Arabia to keep the backup accommodation quota for Hajj pilgrims at 1 percent for 2027, warning that a proposed doubling of the quota will push up pilgrimage costs for Bangladeshi pilgrims.
Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) made the request on Monday during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya at the Saudi Embassy in Gulshan.
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set the backup accommodation quota at 2 percent for the 2027 Hajj, up from the 1 percent applied for 2026.
The minister argued that the increase will raise overall Hajj expenses and requested that the lower rate be retained for Bangladeshi pilgrims, reports UNB.
The ambassador told the minister that he received a semi-official letter from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Sunday outlining the request, and has already forwarded it to the Saudi government along with his recommendation.
The letter also called for keeping catering services optional for pilgrims and for pricing Service Package-3 for Mina-Arafah on par with Service Package D.
The Saudi envoy praised Bangladesh's Hajj management this year and expressed satisfaction over the ministry's swift handling of bilateral issues.
In turn, the minister thanked the ambassador for his role in this year's Hajj arrangements and thanked the Saudi government for ensuring a smooth and orderly pilgrimage.
The two sides also discussed strengthening bilateral ties and matters of mutual interest.
>>Saiful Alam, AA
