Dhaka: A total of 51,615 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned home after performing the holy Hajj since June 10, with three airlines, including Biman Bangladesh Airlines, being engaged in flying them back.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the director of the religious affairs ministry’s Hajj office, M Lokman Hossain, stated that 2,403 pilgrims are expected to land in Dhaka today across seven flights. Quoting Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport officials, he noted that Biman Bangladesh Airlines would bring 1,448 pilgrims in four flights, while Saudi Airlines would carry 955 in two flights.
Officials reported that Biman Bangladesh Airlines has operated 134 flights, Saudia Airlines 54, and Saudi-based Flynas Airlines 22 to transport Bangladeshi pilgrims back home. To date, Biman has transported 22,149, Saudi Airlines 21,025, and Flynas Airlines 8,441 pilgrims to Bangladesh.
Unfortunately, 38 Bangladeshi pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia; 27 of them were males and 11 females, with 25 dying in Makkah, 11 in Madinah, one in Arafat, and one in Jeddah. The Hajj office further reported that Saudi medical centers have issued 66,648 automated prescriptions for Bangladeshi pilgrims, and IT help desks have provided 24,395 service interventions to assist them during their stay.
Saudi public hospitals have treated 308 Bangladeshi pilgrims, with 24 still receiving treatment in Saudi health facilities. Hossain emphasized that Bangladesh has requested all concerned in Saudi Arabia to ensure medical services are available to Bangladeshi pilgrims during the Hajj and post-Hajj period.
This year’s Hajj operations commenced with the first outbound flight on April 29 and concluded on May 31, while the return phase began on June 10 and will continue until July 10.