Dhaka: Pre-registration for online Hajj applications will begin from 20 March, according to Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman.

He said this while speaking at the inauguration of the 9th annual Hajj and Umrah Fair on Saturday, which was organised by Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).

During his speech, the minister added that the debut initiative is part of the new electronic Hajj system, or e-Hajj system, in association with the Saudi Arabian authorities.

It will incorporate all the details of the applicants, such as their national identification cards, bank details, police verification and other elements.

The 3 day-long Hajj fair will provide visitors with all sorts of Hajj-related information and services.

According to the recent agreement between the governments of Bangladesh and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), a total of 1,01,758 pilgrims will be able to perform Hajj from Bangladesh this year, out of which 10,000 will be government-managed and the rest will be through private arrangements.

The minister urged his Saudi counterpart informally to allow more pilgrims for Bangladesh, at least 5000 more, for which they requested a formal application from his ministry.

For Bangladesh Hajj agencies, their minimum quota for sending to Hajj this year is 150 pilgrims per agency.

Among others, president of HAAB Ibrahim Bahar, HAAB secretary general Sheikh Abdullah, and others were present during the occasion.

The fair will end on 14 March.