HAAB seeks more 20,000 Hajj quotas
More than 20,000 Bangladeshis are still waiting to register for the 2027 Hajj after the 78,500 quota was filled.
Even after the designated quota of 78,500 persons for Hajj pilgrimage in 2027 has been fulfilled, a large number of Bangladeshi people are still waiting for enlistment 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.
The request was made at a press conference of HAAB at a hotel in Rajarbagh in the city. President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder spoke at the press conference.
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HAAB Secretary General said the Hajj quota for this year was fulfilled well ahead of the designated time. Even after that, more than 20,000 Hajj pilgrims are waiting for the opportunity to be registered. Many of them have got prepared them mentally and financially for the Hajj.
He said due to quota system many families failed to register the names of all intending members of the family who want 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. However, in the context of decreasing the number of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims over the past few years, the Saudi government has set new quota of 78,500 people for Bangladesh in 2027.
"If the Minister of Religious Affairs contacts the relevant ministers and officials of the Saudi government, it might be possible to resolve the issue of getting additional quotas for Hajj pilgrims," he hoped.
It is expected that the holy Hajj of the next year would be held on 15 May (9 Zilhaj 1448 Hijri), subject to moon sighting.
