The government has granted conditional approval to a total number of 702 agencies to participate in Hajj activities next year (2027).
The Ministry of Religious Affairs, in its seventh phase, allowed 22 more agencies for conducting Hajj related activities on Thursday.
Earlier in the last six phases, the ministry has also given permission to 680 agencies for Hajj activities.
Subject to the sighting of the Moon, the holy Hajj will be performed on May 15 next year. Earlier, the Saudi government has fixed a quota of 78,500 Hajj pilgrims from Bangladesh for 2027.
The ministry said agencies on the published list that fail to register pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj season without valid reasons will face administrative action.
Before registering pilgrims, eligible agencies must form groups (alliances) within a specified period through mutual coordination.
An agency, which can meet the minimum pilgrim quota set by the Saudi authorities – either individually or through an alliance – will be eligible to send pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
The ministry said agencies must complete pilgrims’ registration through the e-Hajj system under the approved package, which will serve as the contract between the pilgrim and the agency.
The package must clearly specify the services to be provided in Saudi Arabia, the duration of stay, the distance of the accommodation from the holy sites and the package price.
Each agency must register at least 44 pilgrims to participate in Hajj operations.
Agencies failing to meet the minimum requirement will have to transfer their registered pilgrims to another agency under a lead agency to ensure their participation in the pilgrimage.
The ministry also directed agencies to appoint one Hajj guide for every 44 pilgrims. The guide must be proficient in Arabic, knowledgeable in information technology and experienced in conducting Hajj.
Agencies must submit the guide’s passport details and Hajj experience while registering them in the e-Hajj system.
The ministry warned that no unregistered person will be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia as a pilgrim.
Agencies must submit the guide’s passport details and Hajj experience while registering them in the e-Hajj system.
The Religious Affairs Minister warned that any agency found attempting to send unregistered pilgrims will face legal action, including cancellation of its licence without an opportunity to show cause.
The ministry also directed the eligible Hajj agencies to form lead agency and urged them to send the applications for inclusion in lead agency and letter of consent of lead agency by 2:00 pm today (September 12) through Whatsapp number: 01939083509.
