Dhaka, July 20 -- Bangladesh has urged Saudi Arabia to keep the backup accommodation quota for Hajj pilgrims at 1 percent for 2027, warning that a proposed doubling of the quota will push up pilgrimage costs for Bangladeshi pilgrims.

Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) made the request on Monday during a meeting with Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah ibn Dhafer ibn Ubayya at the Saudi Embassy in Gulshan.

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has set the backup accommodation quota at 2 percent for the 2027 Hajj, up from the 1 percent applied for 2026.

The minister argued that the increase will raise overall Hajj expenses and requested that the lower rate be retained for Bangladeshi pilgrims.

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