Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs has completed the registration process for the 2026 Hajj, confirming that 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will be able to perform the pilgrimage next year. A ministry notice issued on Sunday, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Md. Tofiqul Islam, stated that registered pilgrims can now verify their information through the official Hajj portal (hajj.gov.bd) using their passport numbers. A dedicated Hajj call center (16136) has also been launched for inquiries and verification. The ministry said that with registration complete, details on Hajj packages, training, and other preparations will be announced in phases. In 2024, Saudi Arabia allowed 127,198 Bangladeshi pilgrims, but only 87,100 registered. Rising costs have led to a reduced quota for 2026. The Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) has announced three private packages ranging from Tk 510,000 to Tk 750,000, while the government has set three packages costing between Tk 467,167 and Tk 690,597. The 2026 Hajj is expected to take place on May 26, subject to moon sighting.