United News of Bangladesh

Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain urged all pilgrims to abide by the laws and regulations of Saudi Arabia and refrain from doing anything that tarnishes the image of the country. The adviser made the request during exchanged greetings with the pilgrims after inaugurating the Hajj flights for 2025 at the Ashkona Hajj Camp in the capital on Monday. He said that the government is working to ensure that the pilgrims can perform Hajj at a reasonable cost. "We are also working on how to simplify all the processes starting from the registration of the pilgrims," he added. Reform Process: Prof Yunus gives directives towards next steps  The adviser expressed optimism over what he said would be many positive changes in Hajj management next year. The first flight carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims will depart from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport for Jeddah at 2:15am. Saudi Arabia's national carrier Saudia will fly carrying 398 pilgrims to perform the holy Hajj on the first flight (SV 3803). Bangladesh-Pakistan Business Forum launched through gala event at city hotel A total of 4,180 pilgrims will depart for Saudi on a total of 10 flights on the first day. Of these, eight flights will land at King Abdul Aziz International Airport in Jeddah and two flights will land at Prince Muhammad bin Abdul Aziz International Airport in Medina. Religious Affairs Secretary AKM Aftab Hossain Pramanik chaired the programme, while additional secretary of the Hajj Division Md. Matiul Islam delivered a welcome speech. Civil Aviation and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin and Nasreen Jahan, Secretary, Saudi Embassy in Bangladesh, Abdul Aziz Fahad M. Al Ibrahim, Charge d'Affaires of the Saudi Embassy in Bangladesh, Air Vice Marshal Md. Manjur Kabir Bhuiyan, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, Syed Golam Sarwar, and Secretary General Farid Ahmed Majumder spoke as special guests at the event. Five percent tax rebate for solar panel users under consideration: DNCC At the event, two pilgrims were invited to express their views on the interim government's Hajj management. They expressed their overall satisfaction with Hajj management this year.  Besides, a documentary on Hajj activities was also screened at the event.  

The hajj flights from Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia will start from April 29 as the visa processing will be completed within a few days, said Religious Affairs Adviser Dr AFM Khalid Hossain. He said this at a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday. "This year, we have completed all formalities for 5,200 registered hajj pilgrims through the government, including allotment of tents in Mina and Arafah, agreement with catering service companies, agreement with home or hotel authorities, agreement with transport companies," he said. Saudi Arabia sets minimum age at 15 for Hajj pilgrims in 2025 Now the visa process is going on and it will be completed within a few days, he said. This year, 81,900 pilgrims have registered for performing Hajj through private agencies, the adviser said Due to the obligation of minimum pilgrims per Saudi government agency, these pilgrims registered under a total of 753 agencies will perform Hajj through 70 lead agencies.

As the deadline to apply for Hajj visas concluded last night, uncertainty looms for over 11,000 pilgrims from Bangladesh who have yet to secure their visas. This situation makes their participation uncertain in this year’s Hajj, scheduled for June 16, contingent on moon sighting. As of today, the latest figures revealed that 72,138 individuals had successfully obtained their Saudi visas, with an additional 259 currently in the visa printing process. However, this leaves precisely 11,167 applicants in limbo, with their chances of attending the Hajj in jeopardy unless the Saudi government grants another extension. In response to the crisis, Faridul Haq Khan, Minister of Religious Affairs, has formally requested a third extension from the Saudi authorities to accommodate the backlog. Echoing this sentiment, Md A Hamid Zamadder, Secretary to the ministry, expressed optimism last night, telling UNB, “We remain in constant communication with our counterparts in the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. We are hopeful for an extension in the visa application period.” Explore why boys lag behind girls in exams: PM Hasina says on SSC results Zamadder also noted that other countries, including India and Indonesia, are facing similar issues, which might influence Saudi Arabia to extend the visa deadline. Despite the government’s efforts, issues with local Hajj agencies have compounded the problem. These agencies have reportedly failed to secure accommodations in Saudi Arabia, a prerequisite for visa approval, leading to last-minute scrambles and heightened uncertainty. The agencies are now racing against time, trying to secure housing at lower rates, which has delayed visa processing. As of now, 11,017 Bangladeshi pilgrims have arrived in Saudi Arabia, with a total of 85,257 expected to perform Hajj under both government and private management. Visitors on Hajj visa prohibited from traveling outside Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca: Saudi Ministry The first batch of pilgrims departed on May 9, with flights scheduled to continue until June 10. Upon completion of Hajj, return flights are slated from June 20 through July 22. The coming days will be critical in determining whether the remaining applicants can fulfill their spiritual journey, as the ministry awaits a definitive response on the visa extension issue, expected by Monday.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines commenced its dedicated Hajj flights this morning, marking the beginning of its annual service to transport pilgrims to and from Saudi Arabia for the holy Hajj. The inaugural flight, BG3301, departed from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at 7 am, carrying 415 pilgrims directly to Jeddah. The event began with a ceremony at 5:30 am, attended by key figures including Md Faridul Haque Khan, Minister of Religious Affairs; Sajjadul Hassan, Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Civil Aviation and Tourism; Air Vice Marshal Md Mafidur Rahman, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB); Shafiul Azim, Managing Director and CEO of Biman Bangladesh Airlines; and Md Shahadat Hossain Taslim, President of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB). PM inaugurates Hajj programme-2024 This year, a record number of 85,257 Bangladeshi pilgrims will journey to Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj, with Biman Bangladesh Airlines handling approximately 50% of these travelers, totaling 42,629 pilgrims. To accommodate this massive undertaking, Biman has scheduled 116 pre-Hajj flights and 125 post-Hajj flights. Furthermore, the airline has expanded its service to include flights from Sylhet and Chattogram, enhancing access and convenience for pilgrims across Bangladesh. Biman Bangladesh Airlines continues to operate these flights exclusively with its own fleet, underscoring its capability and readiness to manage the logistical demands of Hajj travel. Read more: Visitors on Hajj visa prohibited from traveling outside Jeddah, Medina, and Mecca: Saudi Ministry

Biman Bangladesh Airlines will use its own aircraft this year for operating Hajj flights instead of leasing planes. “As we don’t benefit from the leasing process, we have decided to use our own aircraft for Hajj flights,” Shafiul Azim, CEO and managing director of the national flag carrier, told UNB. Biman authorities discussed the decision at an inter-ministerial meeting on Wednesday. Read more: Mecca Route Initiative agreement to make Bangladeshi pilgrims' journey easier: Shahriar “We are preparing in advance to ensure smooth operation of Hajj flights,” the Biman CEO said. The decision follows the airline’s experience from last year’s Hajj flights. It used four of its widebody planes for last year’s Hajj flights. Md. Faridul Haq Khan, state minister for religious affairs, told UNB that Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudia Airlines will carry 50 percent of Hajj pilgrims each this year. Read more: Route to Mecca: MoU signed to make Bangladeshi pilgrims' Saudi visits easier “According to the Saudi-Bangladesh Hajj Treaty of 2023, Bangladeshi pilgrims can perform Hajj this year as per full quota,” he added. He also said that Hajj packages will be announced by January 25–30. In response to a question about package prices, he said prices will not be increased this year. Read more: Biman launches flights to China’s Guangzhou “Passengers may have to spend a slightly higher amount for the increased dollar price, however,” he said. A total of 1,27,198 Bangladeshis can perform Hajj this year. Faridul Haq Khan also said the age limit has been withdrawn and Bangladeshis over the age of 65 can perform Hajj this year. Read More: No age limit: 1.27 lakh Bangladeshis can perform Hajj this year, deal signed with Saudi Pre-arrival immigration for all Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims will be completed in Dhaka under the ‘Road to Makkah’ agreement. However, the Saudi authorities may decide to reduce the permitted number of pilgrims if the Covid-19 situation worsens, he concluded.