Bangladesh, Oct. 2 -- The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has sought 20,000 additional slots for pilgrims in 2027 after the religious affairs ministry said Bangladesh's existing quota had been filled.

Saudi Arabia initially allocated 78,500 Hajj slots to Bangladesh, while the registration deadline passed on Sept 24, reports bdnews24.com.

The ministry has not extended the deadline because the quota has been filled, its spokesman Farhad Ahmed told bdnews24.com on Friday.

However, HAAB has applied for an additional 20,000 slots, prompting the ministry to approach Saudi Arabia over an increase.

"Taking HAAB's request into consideration, the ministry has already sent a DO letter to the Saudi government seeking an additional...