Dhaka:Saudi Arabia has refunded 3,091,243 riyals, which is approximately Tk 10.23 crore, to Bangladesh after withholding the amount over medical expenses for 340 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season. This development was announced by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) during a press briefing at the Secretariat on Sunday.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the full refunded amount was deposited into the Nusuk system of the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah on October 29. The Saudi authorities had initially withheld the funds, citing medical expenses incurred by the pilgrims that were not covered by insurance.
Of the total withheld amount, 2,976,151 Saudi riyals were against 310 pilgrims who performed Hajj under the private management system through Hajj agencies, while 115,092 riyals were deducted for 30 pilgrims under the government management system. The minister described the recovery as a significant achievement in protecting the financial interests of Bangladeshi pilgrims and preserving the country's foreign currency reserves.
The Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah, under the guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, initiated efforts to recover the funds after learning of the deductions. The office engaged in several rounds of discussions with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other relevant authorities, verified information, and submitted necessary documents to secure the refund.
Minister Kaikobad noted that there had been no precedent for such deductions during previous Hajj seasons, making it necessary to raise the issue with the relevant Saudi authorities, supported by information and arguments. Additionally, as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in Hajj management, a total of Tk 4,87,23,014 was refunded to 4,341 pilgrims from the surplus funds of the 2026 Hajj operations.
Religious Affairs State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, Ministry Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad, and HAAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder were also present at Sunday's press conference.