Bangladesh has announced a further cut in its Hajj package fees for 2026 after repeatedly failing to meet its full quota of pilgrims in recent years.
The country, home to one of the world’s largest Muslim populations, is allocated more than 127,000 Hajj slots annually by Saudi Arabia. Yet, since 2023, it has fallen far short of filling them. In 2024, only about 85,000 Bangladeshis performed the pilgrimage; in 2025, that figure rose slightly to around 87,000 despite discounts of up to 20 percent on travel and service costs.
For 2026, the Ministry of Religious Affairs is cutting package prices by an additional $100 in hopes of reversing the trend. “We expect the lower cost to make the pilgrimage more accessible and encourage more people to register,” said Abdul Awal Hawlader, an additional secretary at the ministry. “Last year, high airfares discouraged many; we’ve addressed that this time.”
Under the revised plan, the basic government package will cost roughly $3,890, with accommodations arranged in the Aziziya district of Makkah, a few kilometers from the Grand Mosque. Two premium options will place pilgrims closer to the holy sites.
The registration deadline for Bangladeshi pilgrims is October 12, ahead of the Hajj season scheduled to begin in late May 2026. More than 50,000 people have already registered since the process opened at the end of July, a figure authorities see as an encouraging sign.
Special flights from Bangladesh are set to start in mid-April to manage the large influx of travelers. Officials believe that improved logistics and pricing will help fill the full quota of 127,198 pilgrims next year. “Better planning and affordability should draw those who missed out this year,” Hawlader added.
