This year's Hajj operations formally began on Saturday as 5,438 pilgrims departed for Saudi Arabia on 13 flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Saudia Airlines and Flynas, marking the start of the pilgrimage season.
According to the Hajj Office in Ashkona and Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the first Hajj flight, carrying 419 pilgrims, left Dhaka at 12:20 am on Saturday. Earlier, at 11:35 pm on Friday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman formally inaugurated the Hajj flight operations at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
The inaugural flight, operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines as BG-3001, landed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 4:20 am local time, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Bangladesh Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Md Delwar Hossain and Hajj Counsellor Md Kamrul Islam received the pilgrims on arrival.
Other officials present included Bangladesh Consul General in Jeddah Md Sakhawat Hossain, Assistant Seasonal Hajj Officer Md Ruhul Amin, Jeddah Hajj Terminal Head of Operations Yahya Radi and Nusuk Marhaba manager Raed Bakshawn.
According to the latest Hajj bulletin, a total of 78,500 pilgrims from Bangladesh are expected to perform Hajj this year under government and private arrangements. Of them, 4,565 will travel under the government scheme, while 73,935 will go through private agencies.
A total of 660 agencies are involved in private Hajj management this year, including 30 lead agencies and 630 coordinating agencies.
So far, 78,139 pilgrims have received visas. The scheduled outbound flights include 100 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 75 by Saudia and 30 by Flynas.
Subject to moon sighting, this year's Hajj is expected to take place on May 26 in Mecca.
Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaikobad made a surprise late-night visit to the Ashkona Hajj Camp in Dhaka to monitor services for departing pilgrims. He visited service desks, immigration counters and dormitory facilities, and spoke directly with pilgrims about service quality and their well-being. Many pilgrims expressed satisfaction with the camp management and appreciated
his visit.
