A total of 87,157 Bangladeshi pilgrims, including members of the Hajj management team, have arrived in Saudi Arabia since April 29 to perform Hajj, officials confirmed on Monday.

The annual Islamic pilgrimage, scheduled for June 5, 2025, according to the Arabic lunar calendar, will see 87,100 Bangladeshis participating this year. 

Of them, 5,200 pilgrims are under government management, while the remaining 81,900 are travelling via private Hajj agencies.

So far, 224 dedicated Hajj flights have transported the pilgrims. Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 108 flights carrying 42,404 pilgrims, while Saudi Arabian Airlines flew 83 flights with 31,676 pilgrims. 

Flynas, a Riyadh-based airline, brought in 13,077 pilgrims on 33 flights, according to the Hajj Office.

Officials also reported that 17 Bangladeshi pilgrims have passed away in Saudi Arabia, primarily due to old age and pre-existing health conditions.

During a visit to the Makkah Hajj Medical Centre, Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik inquired about pilgrims' health and instructed doctors to ensure proper care. 

He also expressed satisfaction with the newly introduced automated treatment card system, aimed at improving healthcare access for pilgrims.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs has approved 70 private Hajj agencies this year. According to Md Lokman Hossain, Director of the Hajj Office, the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka has successfully issued all necessary visas for Bangladeshi pilgrims.

To assist pilgrims with navigation, authorities in Makkah have distributed digital maps of Mina and Arafat, prepared by the Mecca IT Helpdesk.

As of now, 172 Bangladeshi pilgrims have received treatment from Saudi healthcare facilities, with 37 still admitted in Saudi government hospitals.

The first Hajj flight departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on April 29, carrying 398 pilgrims. Return flights are scheduled to begin on June 10 and will continue until July 10, officials said.

SMS/