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The Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) has directed the country's lead Hajj agencies to finalise the house rental formalities for the intending Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims by February 1.
The ministry issued the directive following the Saudi government's concern as most of the country's Hajj agencies are yet to complete the house rental process at Mecca and Medina (Madinah) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
A high official at the MoRA told the FE that they issued a circular on Saturday ( January 17, 2026) asking them (lead Hajj agencies) to complete the house rent formalities within the deadline set by the Saudi government.
As per the Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry, contacts on house rental must be done by February 1, 2026.
The religious affairs ministry official said that a cloud meeting was held between Saudi Hajj and Umrah Ministry and the officials of Bangladesh's MoRA on January 15, 2026.
During the meeting, the Saudi side expressed concern that there had been no significant development on completing house renal formalities at Mecca and Medina for Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims by the country's lead Hajj agencies.
The Saudi side clearly informed officials concerned of Bangladesh's MoRA that they (Saudi government) wouldn't extend the deadline for completing house rental formalities in Mecca and Medina.
If any (lead Hajj agency/ agencies in Bangladesh) fails to complete house rental formalities within the timeline then their service package will be cancelled.
Until January 16, 2026, out of 35 lead Hajj agencies, only seven per cent completed house rental formalities in Mecca while 11.35 percent did so in Medina.
Eleven lead Hajj agencies are yet to complete house rental formalities either in Mecca or Medina.
The MoRA has urged all lead Hajj agencies to complete house rental formalities in Mecca and Medina by February 1, 2026.
The religious ministry also sent a letter to Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudi Airlines and Flynas Airlines for completing Hajj pilgrims' air ticket issue.
As per the Saudi government directive, Hajj pilgrims must travel by aircraft of same airlines company.
Designated airlines could issue no less than 30 per cent or not more 50 per cent tickets for pre-Hajj flights for a particular agency.
Meanwhile, the government has disclosed a list of 80 medical centres for vaccination of intending Hajj pilgrims this year.
Before getting vaccinated, the Hajj pilgrims must get 25 health related tests done by January 25, 2026.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com