A Bangladeshi pilgrim has passed away while staying in Saudi Arabia to perform the holy Hajj.

The deceased has been identified as Md Asaduzzaman. He breathed his last in Medina on Wednesday. 

The Ministry of Religious Affairs confirmed the matter early Saturday. 

This is the first death incident of a Bangladeshi pilgrim during Hajj this year.

As many as 27,111 Bangladeshi Hajj pilgrims have so far reached Saudi Arabia through 68 flights in the last nine days till Saturday afternoon to perform the holy Hajj .

Of them, some 3,747 pilgrims have gone under government management, while 23,364 have gone under private management, according to information available on the Hajj portal.

Of the total 68 flights, Biman Bangladesh Airlines operated 25 flights, Saudi Airlines operated 23 flights, and Flynas operated 20 flights to carry pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.

The latest report of the religious affairs ministry says that 81,001 pilgrims have obtained Hajj visas so far this year. Some 4,256 pilgrims are yet to get the visas.

This year, some 85,257 Bangladeshis will go to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, one of the holiest Islamic rituals. Biman will carry 42,629 pilgrims while the rest of the passengers will be carried by the two airlines Saudi and Flynas.

The national flag carrier will operate 116 pre-hajj flights and 125 post-Hajj flights from Dhaka as well as Sylhet and Chattogram for the convenience of the pilgrims.

Biman’s pre-Hajj schedule was fixed from 9 May to 10 June and its post hajj flight will start on 20 June and end on 22 July.

The 2024 edition of the holy Hajj will be held on 16 June, subject to moon sighting