Hajj formalities begin, Pilgrims arrive in Mina

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims, including Pakistanis, have started arriving at Mina, marking the beginning of annual Hajj rituals in the Saudi holy city of Makkah.

“Over 88,000 pilgrims under government Hajj scheme will reach Mina via 932 buses before Zuhr prayer tomorrow,” the broadcaster said on Tuesday.

“Pilgrims will remain at Mina until Fajr next morning (Thursday), the 9th Dhul Hijjah. Then, the Hujjaj will proceed to the valley of Arafat to perform ‘Waqoof-e-Arafa,’ the main ritual of Hajj and offer Zuhr and Asr prayers there.”

The annual pilgrimage will conclude on Monday, June 9.

This year, 87,157 people from Bangladesh went to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj. They went to Saudi Arabia on 224 flights of Biman Bangladesh, Saudi Airlines and Flynas Airlines from April 29 to May 31. The return flights of the Hajj pilgrims will start from June 10 and continue until July 10.