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Hajj begins today

Bangladesh forms 18 teams to serve pilgrims in Mina

By Bangladesh Post Desk

Published : 04 Jun 2025 02:07 AM | Updated : 04 Jun 2025 02:10 AM

AFP/BSS: More than 1.4 million Muslims will begin the annual hajj pilgrimage in the Saudi holy city of Makkah today, Wednesday.

Near a sprawling tent city outside Makkah, Saudi hospital staff are preparing for an influx of heat-related cases as temperatures this year are forecast to exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

So far, authorities have recorded 44 cases of heat exhaustion. Defying the scorching heat, pilgrims have already started to flock to Makkah.

Abdullah Asiri, Saudi Arabia's deputy minister for population health, told AFP at the Mina hospital that a total of 50,000 healthcare workers and administrative staff have been mobilised for the hajj, far exceeding previous years' numbers.

More than 700 hospital beds are ready, equipped with fans to treat severe cases of heat illnesses.

To prevent people from needing hospitalisation in the first place, 71 emergency medical points have been set up around Makkah's holy sites with a focus on "treating patients on the ground before their case deteriorates", said Asiri.

This year, the day of Arafat will fall on June 5, followed by Eid al-Adha on June 6, according to Saudi authorities.

Last year, 1.8 million people took part in the pilgrimage, according to official figures.

Saudi authorities also asked pilgrims to remain in their tents for several hours during the high point of this week's pilgrimage, citing high temperatures.

Hajj Minister Tawfiq al-Rabiah has requested that pilgrims refrain from leaving their tents between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm tomorrow, Thursday.

Bangladesh forms 18 teams to serve hajj pilgrims in Mina

In preparation for the Hajj pilgrimage, the Bangladesh Hajj Office has formed 18 specialised teams to support Bangladeshi pilgrims in Mina.

Pilgrims will leave for Mina on the 8th of Zilhaj to perform the essential rites of Hajj.

The Bangladesh Hajj Office issued an official order regarding the deployment of these teams on Tuesday, following the decisions made during the Hajj Monitoring Committee meeting held on Monday.

According to the directive, four teams have been formed to manage the movement of pilgrims arriving through government channels.

These teams will ensure the safe transportation of pilgrims to Mina and their return to the hotels after completing the Hajj rituals.

A total of 10 officials will be responsible for these operations.

In addition, six teams will be stationed at key locations in Mina to offer guidance and essential assistance to the pilgrims. These teams, composing of 87 officers and employees, will be working in three shifts to ensure continuous support for the pilgrims throughout the day and night.

Eight dedicated teams have been set up to oversee the conditions of the tents used by pilgrims under private management.

The teams, consisting of 23 members, will inspect the tents of various service providers in Zone 5 of Mina to ensure that safety and comfort standards are maintained.