Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad has urged Saudi government to maintain backup accommodation for Bangladeshi pilgrims at 1 per cent for 2027 Hajj to prevent an increase in pilgrimage costs.
Kaikobad made the request during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Abdullah Jafar H bin Abiyah, at Saudi Embassy in Gulshan on Monday.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has designated a 2 per cent backup accommodation requirement for the 2027 Hajj. Kaikobad said this increase would raise the overall cost for pilgrims and requested that the 1 per cent rate, which was in effect for the 2026 Hajj, be upheld.
In response, Ambassador Abiyah confirmed that he received a semi-official letter from the Ministry of Religious Affairs on Sunday regarding this matter. He informed Kaikobad that the letter has already been forwarded to Saudi government with his recommendations.
The semi-official letter also contains proposals to make catering optional for pilgrims and to set the service price for Service Package-3 in Mina-Arafah equivalent to the value of Service Package ‘D’.
During the meeting, the Saudi ambassador expressed his satisfaction with the Ministry’s prompt actions on bilateral issues and praised Bangladesh’s Hajj management this year.
Kaikobad thanked the ambassador for his “extraordinary role” in this year’s Hajj operations and extended his gratitude to Saudi government for ensuring a disciplined, smooth, and orderly Hajj experience.
The two representatives also discussed further strengthening and consolidating the existing bilateral relationship between the two nations, alongside other matters of mutual interest. Upon his arrival at the embassy, Kaikobad was accorded a warm welcome by the ambassador. Senior embassy officials were also present at the meeting.
