B Mirror Desk : Monday night marks the beginning of the holy Hajj flights. 87,100 pilgrims from Bangladesh will go to Saudi Arabia this year to complete the sacred Hajj. 419 pilgrims are scheduled to depart Dhaka for Saudi Arabia on the first day. AFM Khalid Hossain, the advisor on religious affairs for the interim government, will formally inaugurate the flight.

This time, 81,900 pilgrims will complete the Hajj under private supervision, while 5,200 will do it under official supervision. At 2:15 am, the first aircraft to Saudi Arabia will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. There will be 1,743 private guides and 112 government guides on duty to guarantee seamless Hajj administration. The pilgrims will also receive general help from 70 guides.

In this regard, Bebichok Chairman Air Vice Marshal Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan said, “Extensive preparations have been made to ensure that the Shahjalal-based Hajj pilgrims do not face any kind of inconvenience. Saudi Arrival Immigration will be completed at our airport itself. This will make it possible to avoid any inconvenience or suffering there.”

He said, “Our team is working so that the Hajj pilgrims do not face any kind of problem.”

Three airlines, notably Biman Bangladesh Airlines, are prepared to carry Hajj travelers in the interim. Flights for the Hajj will run through May 31. Flights back will depart on June 10 and arrive on July 10. There will be 118 Hajj flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, 80 by Saudia, and 34 by Nas Airlines this year. There are 109 return flights on Biman, 79 on Saudia, and 34 on Nas.

“We have taken extensive preparations on behalf of Biman Bangladesh Airlines this time,” Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, MD and CEO of the airline, informed the media. Every precaution has been taken to guarantee that there are no issues for the pilgrims performing the Hajj.

It should be noted that the holy Hajj will take place on June 5, 2025, which is the 9th day of Zilhajj 1446 AH, subject to Moon sighting.