Saudi Arabia has refunded around Tk10.23 crore deducted for medical expenses not covered by insurance for 340 Bangladeshi pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season, following repeated requests and negotiations by Bangladesh authorities.
The refund of 30,91,243 Saudi riyals was deposited into the Nusuk system of the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah on 29 October, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) said on Sunday.
He made the remarks at a press conference at the Ministry of Religious Affairs at 11 am. The minister said the money had been withheld by Saudi authorities to cover medical expenses outside the pilgrims’ insurance coverage.
Of the total, 29,76,151 riyals was recovered for 310 pilgrims who performed Hajj under private management, while 1,15,092 riyals was refunded for 30 pilgrims under government management.
The minister said the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah, under the ministry’s direction, had maintained correspondence, verified information and held discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other authorities to secure the refund.
He described the recovery as a significant achievement of the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in protecting pilgrims’ financial interests and conserving foreign currency.
He thanked the Saudi government, its Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the Saudi ambassador to Bangladesh and other officials for their cooperation, expressing hope that bilateral relations would strengthen further.
Kaikobad said the government was working to make Hajj management simpler, more transparent and more responsive to pilgrims’ needs. All institutions involved had been instructed to prioritise pilgrims’ welfare.
He also said Tk4,87,23,014 in surplus funds from the 2026 Hajj season had been refunded directly to the bank accounts of 4,341 pilgrims.
Turning to preparations for 2027, the minister said Hajj airfare had been fixed at Tk1,30,000, down Tk24,830 from 2026. The fare stood at Tk1,97,797 in 2023.
He praised the work of a delegation led by State Minister for Religious Affairs Mohammad Shamim Kaiser to secure affordable, quality accommodation for government-managed Hajj pilgrims in 2027.
Responding to questions, Kaikobad said Bangladesh had formally requested an increase in its Hajj quota.
A letter had already been sent to the Saudi minister of Hajj and Umrah, while diplomatic efforts to secure additional places were continuing.
The minister also drew attention to Saudi health restrictions, saying the authorities prohibited people with cancer, kidney complications or mental health conditions, as well as pregnant women, from performing Hajj.
He urged Hajj agencies to follow the Saudi requirements strictly and refrain from sending pilgrims whose health conditions placed them at high risk.
Kaikobad said the government would continue working to protect pilgrims’ financial rights, improve services, ensure safety and strengthen transparency in Hajj management.
Religious Affairs State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, Ministry Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad and senior ministry officials attended the press conference.
