Pilgrims begin journey home after peaceful Hajj completion

Millions of Muslim pilgrims have begun returning to their home countries after completing this year’s Hajj rituals, which concluded peacefully with the symbolic stoning of the devil at the three Jamarat sites.

The first return flight carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims departed Saudi Arabia on Friday night following the completion of Hajj rites.

According to the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the flight left King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 12:10 am local time. Return Hajj operations are scheduled to continue until July 1.

Officials said 5,434 Bangladeshi pilgrims are expected to return on 13 flights on the first day of the repatriation programme. The return journey began with a Saudia Airlines flight.

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The ministry said all Hajj-related arrangements, including accommodation, transportation, visa processing and tent rentals, were completed within the timeframe set by Saudi authorities. It added that all registered Bangladeshi pilgrims were transported to Saudi Arabia without any major disruption to flight schedules.