The government has permitted to 357 agencies in the first phase to participate in Hajj activities next year (2027). The Ministry of Religious Affairs released the list of initially eligible Hajj agencies in the first phase, subject to conditions, on Sunday (July 19).
The Hajj will be held in Saudi Arabia on May 15 next year, subject to the sighting of the moon. The Hajj package will be announced within this week.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs has stated that if any agency on the published list fails to register (not pre-register) Hajj pilgrims for the 2027 Hajj season without valid reasons, administrative action will be taken against that agency.
Before registering Hajj pilgrims, eligible listed agencies must form a group (alliance) within a specified period of time based on mutual coordination.
If an agency can meet the minimum quota of pilgrims per agency determined by the Saudi government, either individually or through coordination, that agency or lead agency will be able to send pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
Agencies will have to complete the Hajj pilgrim registration by determining the package announced in the e-Hajj system. This package will be considered as a contract between the pilgrim and the agency. The package must mandatorily mention the services provided in Saudi Arabia, the duration of stay, the distance to the hotel and the price of the package.
Each agency must register a minimum of 44 pilgrims. That is, if there are the same number of pilgrims as specified for one guide, the agency can participate in coordination. Otherwise, the pilgrims will have to be transferred to another agency under the lead agency to ensure their Hajj performance.
For every 44 pilgrims, a Hajj guide who is proficient in Arabic, knowledgeable in information technology, and experienced in conducting Hajj must be appointed. When adding a guide to the e-Hajj system, his passport information and Hajj experience must be provided.
No unregistered person will be allowed to travel to Saudi Arabia as a Hajj pilgrim. If any agency takes such an initiative, necessary legal action will be taken, including cancellation of their license without the opportunity to show cause.
If an agency later applies with updated information, their names will be published in the next eligible list after verification.
If an agency is found guilty and punished after the publication of the eligible list, the agency’s name will be removed from the list without the opportunity to show cause.
Agencies have been included in the eligible list with the condition of license renewal until June 2027. Agencies whose licenses expire by June next year will have to apply for renewal within the specified period.
In addition, each agency will have to submit an updated Hajj license, travel license, trade license, and income tax certificate and sign an agreement with the director of the Dhaka Hajj Office.
The pre-registration process for all agencies other than the eligible listed agencies will be closed. The condition states that the pre-registration process for the concerned agency will be started later if it is included in the eligible list.
