With peaceful transportation of Hajj pilgrims from Saudi Arabia, a total of 42,950 Hajjis have returned home after performing the Holy Hajj, held on June 5 this year, as of Saturday, reports BSS.
Besides, as per Sunday’s flight schedule, 1,606 pilgrims will arrive in Dhaka from Saudi Arabia in four flights, while the total number of pilgrims, who came back after Hajj, will be 44,966 having 114 flights.
Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain and secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik witnessed the Hajj management in Saudi Arabia and departed for Bangladesh at 08:10 pm local time Sunday while senior officials concerned were present at the airport, a Hajj official said.
According to official data from Dhaka Hajj office, of the total pilgrims who have returned so far, 5,006 traveled under government management, while 37,944 returned under private arrangements.
It said a total of 38 Bangladeshi pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia so far. Of them, 27 are male and 11 female. Of the total, 25 died in Makkah, 11 in Madinah, one in Jeddah and one in Arafat.
The Hajj office sources said Biman Bangladesh Airlines has so far transported 17,082 pilgrims with 43 flights, while Saudi national carrier Saudia Airlines has brought 18,543 pilgrims back through 47 flights and 7,325 have returned via Saudi-based Flynas Airlines by 19 flights.
In total, 109 return flights have been operated - 43 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 47 by Saudia Airlines, and 19 by Flynas Airlines, they added.
Saudi medical centres have issued 62,603 automated prescriptions and IT help desks have delivered 23,890 service interventions to assist pilgrims during their stay.
Saudi public hospitals have treated a total of 284 Bangladeshi pilgrims with 22 still undergoing medical care at present.
This year's Hajj operations began with the first outbound flight on April 29 and concluded on May 31.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs approved 70 Hajj agencies to facilitate the pilgrimage. Bangladesh's Hajj quota in 2025 included 5,200 government-managed pilgrims and 81,900 under private management.
The return phase commenced on June 10 and will continue until July 10.
Authorities are closely monitoring the ongoing repatriation and healthcare efforts to ensure the safe and dignified return of all pilgrims to Bangladesh, said the Hajj office.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
