178 hajj flights with 63,604 pilgrims reach Saudi Arabia

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DHAKA, July 29, 2018 (BSS) – A total of 178 flights carrying 63,604 hajj pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia till date to perform the holy hajj this year, said an official of the Hajj office here.

“The holy hajj is likely to be held on August 20, 2018 (based on moon sighting),” Saiful Islam, an official of Dhaka Hajj Office, told BSS this afternoon.

He said everyday some 4000 hajj pilgrims boarding 10 flights are being departed for Saudi Arabia and the hajj pilgrims are being welcomed there by Councilor (Hajj) Muhammad Maksudur Rahman and other Hajj officials of Makka.

The official said 188 flights carrying a total of 67,604 pilgrims are expected to reach Saudi Arabia till Sunday next. Of the devotees, 3,226 will perform hajj under government and 60,378 under private arrangements.

Earlier, the hajj flight operation began on July 14 and it would continue till August 15. Besides, the return flight of the hajj pilgrims would start on August 27 and end on September 25.

He said eight hajj pilgrims died in Saudia Arabia till yesterday (July 28).