Hajj flights begin

The first Hajj flight carrying 419 Bangladeshi pilgrims to Saudi Arabia took off from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the capital yesterday.

The flight of Biman Bangladesh Airlines departed from the airport at 8:35am, said a press release of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Rashed Khan Menon, Religious Affairs Minister Motiur Rahman and high officials of the two ministries concerned saw the pilgrims off at the airport.

The press release also said three more Hajj flights lifted off yesterday.

The Hajj flights will be operated from Chittagong and Sylhet airports as well.

On August 12, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the Hajj programme 2015 at Ashkona Hajj camp in the city.

The holy Hajj is likely to be performed this year on September 24 subject to sighting of the moon.

A total of 1, 01,758 pilgrims from Bangladesh will perform the Hajj this year. The number of Bangladeshi pilgrims was 98,762 last year.

The Biman will carry half of the Hajj passengers, while Saudi Airlines the rest.

The Hajj flights will continue until September 17. The return flights will start coming on September 28 and continue till October 28.