Over 37,000 Hajj pilgrims return home

A total pof 37,435 Bangladeshi pilgrims had returned home by Saturday after completing this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, according to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Officials said a further 3,646 pilgrims were scheduled to arrive in Bangladesh on nine flights on Sunday, taking the number of returnees to more than half of the country's total Hajj pilgrims. The remaining pilgrims will return gradually in line with the official flight schedule, with the final return flight expected on 1 July.

Many returning pilgrims shared their experiences with journalists at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, expressing satisfaction with both the overall Hajj management by the Saudi authorities and the services provided under Bangladesh's government Hajj scheme.

According to the ministry, pilgrims who travelled under the government-managed programme praised the arrangements and encouraged prospective pilgrims to consider the scheme in future years.

Pilgrims also commended the Saudi government's management of the annual pilgrimage, highlighting the organisation of services and facilities during the Hajj period.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Hajj Mission medical centres in Makkah and Madinah have so far issued 58,049 electronic prescriptions to pilgrims this year.

The ministry said 398 Bangladeshi pilgrims received treatment at local hospitals in Saudi Arabia, while 22 pilgrims remain admitted to hospitals across the Kingdom.

The death toll among Bangladeshi pilgrims during this year's Hajj has risen to 48, according to the latest official figures.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs said it continues to monitor the health and welfare of Bangladeshi pilgrims until all return flights are completed.