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, while 115,092 riyals were deducted against 30 pilgrims under the government management system, said the minister.

He also described the recovery as a significant achievement in protecting the financial interests of Bangladeshi pilgrims and saving the country's foreign currency reserves.

The Bangladesh Hajj Office in Jeddah, under the guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs, took the initiative after learning about the deductions.

The office held several rounds of discussions with Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Hajj and Umrah and other relevant authorities, verified information and submitted necessary documents to secure the refund.

Kaikobad noted that there had been no precedent for such deductions during previous Hajj seasons. The issue was therefore raised with the relevant Saudi authorities with supporting information and arguments.

The minister also said that, as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in Hajj management, a total of Tk 4,87,23,014 was refunded to 4,341 pilgrims from the surplus funds of the 2026 Hajj operations.

Religious Affairs State Minister Mohammad Shamim Kaiser, Ministry Secretary Munshi Alauddin Al Azad and HAAB Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder were also present at Sunday's press conference.