The first return flight of Bangladeshi pilgrims from Saudi Arabia arrived in Dhaka on Saturday morning, marking the beginning of the 2026 Hajj return phase. According to the report, 419 pilgrims landed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on a Saudia Airlines flight around 10 a.m. They were welcomed with Zamzam water and flowers upon arrival. The flight departed from Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport at 12:10 a.m. local time.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that the formal Hajj rituals concluded on Friday with the symbolic stoning at the three Jamarat. On the first day of return flights, a total of 5,434 pilgrims are expected to arrive in Bangladesh on 13 flights. The return operations will continue until July 1. This year, 79,164 Bangladeshi pilgrims, including management officials, traveled to Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

The ministry completed all logistical arrangements, including tent rentals, transportation contracts, housing, and visas, within the Saudi government’s timeframe. As a result, all registered pilgrims reached Saudi Arabia without any schedule disruptions. So far, 35 Bangladeshi pilgrims have died during this year’s Hajj.