Sri Lanka has officially signed the Hajj agreement with Saudi Arabia for the 2027 pilgrimage, securing a quota of 3,500 pilgrims. The accord was signed on Monday, November 9, in Jeddah on the sidelines of the annual Hajj Exhibition and Conference by Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Religious and Cultural Affairs, Muneer Mulaffar and Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr. Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat.

During bilateral talks prior to the signing, the Sri Lankan delegation underscored the government’s dedication to streamlining the pilgrimage process to enhance the overall experience for travelers. Deputy Minister Mulaffar and his team also met with Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah to discuss logistical arrangements for the upcoming 2027 season.

The Sri Lankan delegation included Sri Lankan Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad, Sri Lankan Hajj and Umrah Committee Chairman Reyaz Mihular, Jeddah Consul General Justice M.T. Mohamed Laffar, Hajj and Umrah Committee Member Rushdi Khalid, and other consulate officials. Furthermore, a ten-member joint delegation representing private Hajj operators and the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs participated in specialized training sessions conducted by the Saudi ministry to elevate operational standards. (Newswire)