Dhaka: A total of 80,723 Bangladeshi hajj pilgrims have reached Saudi Arabia aboard 208 flights, as the final scheduled flight of pilgrims is set to depart tonight, according to officials.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, 15 pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia due to old age complications or various health issues. This year, 87,100 Bangladeshis are expected to perform the holy hajj, with 5,200 pilgrims under the Bangladesh government's arrangement and 81,900 under private operators.
A special meeting of the hajj delegation for 2025 was held last night at the Bangladesh Hajj Office in Mecca. Chaired by Religious Affairs Adviser Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain, the meeting focused on facilitating the pilgrims' journey by ensuring smooth accommodation, transportation, and food provisions in Makkah, Mina, and Arafat.
The meeting included Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik, members of the hajj delegation, the administrative team leader, Hajj councilor, medical team leaders, the president and secretary-general of HUB, the IT team leader, and other members.
Director M Lokman Hossain of the hajj office under the religious affairs ministry reported that Biman Bangladesh Airlines has operated 104 flights, carrying 40,249 pilgrims. Saudi Airlines conducted 76 flights with 29,144 pilgrims, while Riyadh-based Flynas Airlines transported 11,330 pilgrims on 28 flights.
Hossain stated that Bangladesh Airlines will operate a total of 118 hajj flights, Saudi Airlines 80 flights, and Flynas Airlines 34 flights. He highlighted the government's effort in ensuring that the Saudi embassy in Dhaka issued 86,945 visas for Bangladeshi pilgrims.
The first Hajj flight, carrying 398 pilgrims, departed from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on April 29. The Hajj is expected to occur on June 6, following the Arabic lunar calendar. Return flights for pilgrims are scheduled to begin on June 10 and conclude on July 10.