A total of 65,592 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia as of Tuesday, while 18 pilgrims have died during the ongoing Hajj season, according to official data.
The information was published in the latest bulletin from the IT Helpdesk of the Ministry of Religious Affairs’ Hajj Management Portal, which stated that the pilgrims had reached Saudi Arabia by 11:59pm Saudi time on 18 May. The arrivals have been carried on 169 flights since the start of Hajj operations.
Among the total pilgrims who have arrived, 4,444 travelled under government management, while 61,148 reached Saudi Arabia through private arrangements.
This year’s Hajj is expected to be held on 26 May, subject to the sighting of the moon. Hajj flights began on 18 April and are being operated under both government and private arrangements through multiple carriers.
Bangladesh Biman operated 86 flights carrying 34,070 pilgrims, while Saudi Airlines transported 22,663 pilgrims through 61 flights. Flynas Airlines carried 8,859 pilgrims on 22 flights.
The Ministry said that medical centres established in Saudi Arabia have so far issued 30,370 automated prescriptions for Bangladeshi pilgrims. In addition, the IT Helpdesk has provided 18,210 services to assist pilgrims during the ongoing Hajj operation.
Officials confirmed that 18 Bangladeshi pilgrims - 13 men and five women - have died so far in Saudi Arabia. Of them, 13 died in Makkah and five in Madinah.
Bangladesh has been allocated a total quota of 78,500 pilgrims for this year’s Hajj season. A total of 660 agencies, including 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies, are involved in managing Hajj operations.
Subject to moon sighting, the main Hajj rituals are expected to take place on 26 May. Return flights are scheduled to begin on 30 May from Jeddah and will continue throughout June, with the final return flight expected on 30 June.
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