FE REPORT
The maiden Hajj flight of this year will start from today (Sunday).
The national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines will carry 415 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims by BG-3001 flight at 9:00am.
Marking the occasion, Biman will arrange a programme at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport where State Minister for Religious Affairs Md Faridul Hoque Khan and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism Md Mahbub Ali will be present, a high official of the Ministry of Religious Affairs told the FE.
The holy Hajj will be observed on July 8 depending on the sighting of the moon.
This year, a total of 57,585 Bangladeshis are expected to perform Hajj.
Of the total pilgrims, 4,000 will go to Saudi Arabia under the government arrangement, while the rest 53,585 by private management.
Earlier, on Friday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina virtually inaugurated Hajj activities.
The Hajj flight was originally scheduled to leave Bangladesh on May 31 last.
But the date has been rescheduled on June 5 for completion of some pending works.
This year the last Hajj flight is scheduled on July 3.
After the holy Hajj, the return flight will start on July 14 and continue until August 14, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.
Meanwhile, the Hajj camp at Ashkona in the capital has completed all preparations to welcome pilgrims.
An official of the camp told the FE that Hajj pilgrims had started arriving at the camp.
He said that a police camp had been set up at the camp.
Besides, Rover Scouts and members of Anjumane have been engaged to maintain discipline and welfare of the pilgrims, he mentioned.
In addition, public and private banks have opened booths there, while the government health department has set up medical centres for the welfare of the pilgrims.
Talking to the FF, some pilgrims at the camp said that they did not face any problem.
They sought doa from the countrymen so that they could perform the Hajj peacefully.
The religious affairs ministry official further said that the immigration of all Hajj pilgrims, who will leave for Saudi Arabia from Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA), is expected to be completed in Dhaka.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com