Staff Reporter :
A total of 50,036 Bangladeshi pilgrims have returned home from Saudi Arabia after performing this year’s Hajj, which was held on June 5.
According to Md Lokman Hossain, Director of the Hajj Office under the Ministry of Religious Affairs, an additional 768 pilgrims are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Wednesday via two return flights from Saudi Arabia.
He also stated that the government has instructed all relevant Saudi authorities to ensure adequate medical support for Bangladeshi pilgrims during both the Hajj and post-Hajj periods.
Official data from the Hajj Office reveals that 38 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died in Saudi Arabia so far—27 men and 11 women. Among the deceased, 25 died in Mecca, 11 in Medina, one in Arafat, and one in Jeddah. No deaths have been reported in Mina or Muzdalifah.
Of those who have returned so far, 5,006 pilgrims performed Hajj under government arrangements, while 45,030 returned under private management.
As per the Hajj Office, Biman Bangladesh Airlines has repatriated 21,081 pilgrims, Saudia Airlines brought back 20,514, and Flynas Airlines returned 8,441 pilgrims. In total, 129 return flights have been operated—55 by Biman, 52 by Saudia, and 22 by Flynas.
Despite ongoing challenges in healthcare and IT support, Saudi authorities issued 65,510 automated prescriptions, while IT help desks provided 24,289 service interventions to assist Bangladeshi pilgrims during their stay.
Saudi public hospitals treated 289 Bangladeshi pilgrims, with 25 still under medical care as of the latest reports.
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.
For 2025, Bangladesh’s Hajj quota included 5,200 pilgrims under government management and 81,900 under private management.
The return phase began on June 10 and will continue until July 10. Authorities are closely monitoring repatriation and healthcare services to ensure the safe and dignified return of all Bangladeshi pilgrims, the Hajj Office said.
