Dhaka, Nov. 1 -- Saudi Arabia has refunded 3,091,243 riyals, equivalent to approximately Tk 10.23 crore, withheld from Bangladesh over the medical expenses of 340 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season.

The full amount was deposited into the Nusuk system of the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah on October 29, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Houssain (Kaikobad) said on Sunday at a press briefing at the Secretariat.

The Saudi authorities had withheld the money citing medical expenses incurred by the pilgrims that were not covered by insurance, he said.

Of the total amount, 2,976,151 Saudi riyals had been withheld against 310 pilgrims who performed Hajj under the private management system through Hajj agencies,...