Dhaka: The government has approved 91 new agencies to participate in the hajj pilgrimage program next year, marking the third phase of such approvals.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) issued a notification on Wednesday, confirming the inclusion of these agencies under specific conditions. The notification emphasized that administrative action would be taken against agencies failing to register hajj pilgrims for 2026 without valid reason. Additionally, the agencies are required to have written agreements with pilgrims outlining the services to be provided in Mecca and Medina.
On July 27, the government disclosed names of 155 hajj agencies in the first phase, and on August 10, a second phase added 234 more. Each agency is permitted to send a specific number of pilgrims, as determined by the Saudi government, and must appoint an experienced Arabic-speaking guide for every 46 pilgrims. Unauthorized individuals will not be allowed to perform hajj, and any fraudulent attempts by agencies will result in legal actions, including license cancellation.
The notification also stated that an agency’s permission could be revoked without cause if punished for any allegations or if it fails to meet qualifications in handling pilgrims. Agencies must renew their licenses by September next year to remain on the approved list. Further, each agency must sign a contract with the Hajj Director and submit updated licenses and certificates.
The holy hajj is scheduled for the last week of May 2026, pending the sighting of the Moon. As in the current year, 127,198 pilgrims will be able to perform hajj from Bangladesh next year.