DOT Desk: As many as 15,515 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have so far reached Saudi Arabia in the last five days till Tuesday morning to perform the holy Hajj through 39 flights, reports Daily Sun.
Of them, some 3,747 pilgrims have gone under government management, while 11,768 have gone under private management, according to information available on the Hajj portal of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 13 flights, Saudi Airlines nine flights, and Flynas operated 17 flights to carry pilgrims to Saudi Arabia. The latest report of the religious affairs ministry says that 74,897 pilgrims have obtained Hajj visas so far. Some 10,350 pilgrims are yet to get Hajj visas.

This year, some 85,257 Bangladeshis will go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, one of the holiest Islamic rituals. Biman will carry 42,629 pilgrims while the rest of the passengers will be carried by the two airlines Saudi and Flynas.

The national flag carrier will operate 116 pre-hajj flights and 125 post-Hajj flights from Dhaka as well as Sylhet and Chattogram for the convenience of the pilgrims.

Biman’s pre-Hajj schedule is from 9 May to 10 June and its post hajj flight will start on 20 June and end on 21 July.

Meanwhile, the ministry has sought explanations from six Hajj agencies for not completing the visas of Hajj pilgrims within scheduled time. The ministry sent letters to the six agencies, including World Link Tours and Travels, Ansari Overseas, Al-Risan Travel Agency, Miqat Tours and Travels, North Bengal Hajj Travels and Tours and Holi Darun Najat Hajj Overseas on Tuesday seeking explanation about their negligence.

Some 1,875 pilgrims have applied for Hajj under these six agencies.

This year, the Hajj is expected to be held on 16 June, subject to moon sighting.