Hajj flights to carry Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia will begin on September 7.
Meanwhile, the return Hajj flights will begin on October 19.
A total of 89,179 pilgrims will perform Hajj from Bangladesh this year. Last year, the number of Bangladeshi pilgrims was 112,568.
Of the total pilgrims, 1,589 will go to the Saudi Arabia under the government management while the rest under private arrangement.
Religious Affairs Secretary Kazi Habibul Awal revealed this while briefing reporters at the Religious Affairs Ministry after an inter-ministerial meeting on pre-Hajj preparation.
The secretary said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Hajj programme in Hajj Camp at Ashkona in the city on September 6.
He said Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited will carry half of the Hajj passengers while Saudi Arabian Airlines the other half this year.
Awal said the ministry has completed all preparations to provide all necessary supports to the Hajj pilgrims, including rented houses in Makkah and Medina.
Asked about the fall in the number of Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims this year, he attributed this to new rules and instructions set by the Saudi government.
One of the instructions says a pilgrim can perform Hajj once in five years, the secretary said
-UNB
