Dhaka, Apr 08 (V7N) – Religious Advisor Dr. AFM Khalid Hossain announced that Saudi Arabia's Hajj flights for Bangladeshi pilgrims will begin on April 29, 2025. This information was shared during a press conference held at the Secretariat on Tuesday (April 8).

Dr. Khalid Hossain highlighted that visa processing for pilgrims is expected to be completed soon. However, he expressed concerns about the 10,500 pilgrims scheduled to go for Hajj under private management. He pointed out that nine agencies had failed to finalize house rental and transportation contracts by the deadline of March 25, putting these pilgrims' journeys at risk. Citations have been issued to these agencies, and they have been warned that they will be held responsible for any delays or issues preventing the pilgrims from traveling.

Furthermore, the Religious Advisor emphasized the April 18 deadline for completing the visa process. He cautioned that if the Saudi authorities close the online platform 'Nusuk Masar' at any point, it could cause difficulties for pilgrims. The agencies will be held accountable in such cases.

Looking ahead to the 2025 Hajj season, Dr. Hossain shared that 87,100 pilgrims from Bangladesh are expected to travel to Saudi Arabia. Of these, 5,200 pilgrims will be managed under government supervision, while the remaining 81,900 will go through private agencies.

The Hajj flights are set to begin at the end of April, and all agencies have been urged to finalize the necessary arrangements promptly to ensure a smooth process for all pilgrims.

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