Bangladesh, Sept. 29 -- The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has sought 20,000 additional Hajj slots from Saudi Arabia after Bangladesh's designated quota of 78,500 pilgrims for 2027 was filled, leaving more than 20,000 people waiting for registration.

HAAB made the request at a press conference at a hotel in Rajarbagh in Dhaka on Monday. HAAB President Syed Golam Sarwar and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder spoke at the press conference.

Farid Ahmed said Bangladesh's Hajj quota for 2027 had been filled well ahead of the designated deadline. Despite this, more than 20,000 intending pilgrims were still waiting for an opportunity to register.

He said many of them had already made mental and financial preparations for ...