Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims face last-minute housing crisis in Saudi Arabia
Bangladeshi pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year under both government and private management. However, concerns have arisen over delays in securing accommodation for those using private agencies. The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has now set a strict deadline for completion of all housing contracts.
The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has expressed frustration at the slow pace of accommodation arrangements for Bangladeshi pilgrims. On Saturday, January 28, the ministry issued letters to all lead agencies, demanding full completion of rental agreements in Makkah and Madinah by the same day.
Under the private system, 73,935 pilgrims are set to travel through 30 licensed agencies, including operators like IQRA Hajj Group and White Pearl Group. While the government-managed pilgrims have already secured their housing, private agencies have lagged behind.
The director general of the Saudi ministry warned that any failure to meet the deadline could result in pilgrims being barred from performing Hajj. Additionally, agencies risk future restrictions on their Hajj operations if contracts remain incomplete.
The January 28 deadline applies to all private lead agencies handling Bangladeshi pilgrims. Those who fail to finalise accommodation may face penalties, including exclusion from future Hajj operations. The government's housing arrangements, however, have already been fully confirmed.
