Tk 10 Crore Stuck in Saudi Arabia: HAB wants govt assistance to repatriate
Photo: Agamir Somoy
After this year's (2026) Hajj operations ended, the Saudi government has held back nearly Tk 10 crore (30 lakh Saudi riyals) deposited in the IBAN accounts of the agencies. The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAB) has said that this money has been held back in the name of medical expenses.
The organization of private Hajj agency owners has called upon the Ministry of Religious Affairs to take initiatives to release this money, as soon as possible.
HAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Mazumder made this demand at a press conference held at a hotel in Nayapaltan in the capital today (Monday) to inform about the latest situation in Hajj management. HAB President Syed Golam Sarwar and other leaders were present at the time.
The HAB Secretary General said, "After the 2026 Hajj operations ended, when we went to bring back the money deposited in the agencies' IBAN (International Bank Account), the Saudi government's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah held back nearly 30 lakh Saudi riyals and demanded this entire 30 lakh Saudi riyals in the name of medical bills in a completely unreasonable manner. We are astonished at this sudden decision without informing our government, agencies, or Hajj pilgrims about the matter in the Hajj agreement or through any previous means."
Call to Refrain from Paying the Money
Farid Ahmed Mazumder said, "At this moment, no Hajj pilgrim should pay any money under the medical expense category. We humbly request the Ministry of Religious Affairs to take the necessary initiative to release the mentioned 30 lakh Saudi riyals quickly. We have also informed the ministry about the matter in writing. If success is not achieved in this matter through the government's steps, then we demand that this money be paid from the emergency fund of the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Hajj pilgrims will not pay this money, so it is not possible for the agencies to pay this huge amount under any circumstances. The Bangladesh government, Hajj agencies, or Hajj pilgrims were not informed about this matter in the Hajj agreement or through any means before."
'Over 20,000 Hajj Pilgrims Waiting'
The HAB Secretary General further said, "Subject to the sighting of the moon, the holy Hajj of next year will be held on May 15. This year, the Saudi government has set a quota of 78,500 people. Although the Hajj quota allocated for Bangladesh was 1,27,198, due to political instability and economic crisis over the past few years, the number of Hajj pilgrims has been declining alarmingly. For this reason, Bangladesh's quota for 2027 has been reduced to 78,500. This year, even after the quota was filled during the designated registration period, more than 20,000 Hajj pilgrims are still waiting. These Hajj pilgrims have made complete mental and financial preparations to perform Hajj this year. In some cases, even some members of their families have registered, while the rest are waiting. Considering the intending Hajj pilgrims, who are guests of Almighty Allah, it is absolutely necessary to obtain at least 20,000 more quota allocations from the royal Saudi government."
