Dhaka, Nov. 12 -- Saudi Arabia has reduced the number of Bangladeshi pilgrims allowed to perform Hajj next year by more than 48,000 compared with this year.

A bilateral agreement has been signed allowing 78,500 Bangladeshis to perform Hajj in 2026, according to a media statement issued on Tuesday.

This year, 127,198 Bangladeshis performed Hajj, though only 87,100 had registered. Compared with this year, next year's Hajj quota has been reduced by 48,698.

In 2024, 85,257 Bangladeshis performed Hajj, with about one-third of the quota remaining unfulfilled due to increased costs.

The Hajj is expected to take place on May 26, subject to the sighting of the moon.

The original registration deadline of Oct 12 has been extended by four days....