Dhaka: Religious Affairs Minister Principal Motiur Rahman on Monday said this year the pilgrims can perform hajj in better way than the previous year as all preparation for hajj is completed already.

The minister came up with the claim while talking to reporters after a meeting over the preparation of hajj management-2018, held at the Secretariat under his chairmanship.

This year, a total of 1,26,798 persons will go to Saudi Arabia for performing hajj. Of them, 6,798 will perform hajj under government management while 1,20,000 under private management, he said.

The hajj is likely to be held on August 21 this year subject to the moon sighting, he added.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the Hajj programme-2018 at the Hajj Camp in the capital’s Ashkona area on July 11, said the minister.

The pilgrims will go to Saudi Arabia through 528 hajj agencies and the first flight carrying hajj pilgrims to Saudi Arabia is scheduled to begin on July 14 and continue till August 15 while the return hajj flight is scheduled to begin on August 27 and will continued till September 25, said Motiur.

Bangladesh Biman will carry 64,967 pilgrims through 187 flights while the rest 61,831 pilgrims will go to Saudi Arabia through 188 flights of Saudi Airlines this year, he said.

Already 6,114 pilgrims under government management and 13,400 under private managements have got their visas, he added.

Besides, acting religious affairs secretary Anisur Rahman, said Bangladesh Biman has sold 52,000 tickets on hajj purpose while Saudi Airlines sold 46,755 tickets.

He also urged the pilgrims to conduct four medical tests-blood, sugar, x-ray and ECG-before hajj.

Referring to the tests, Prof Dr Sania Tahmina, director of disease control unit and line director of Directorate General of Health Service (DGHS), said the pilgrims can conduct their medical tests at the private hospitals alongside the government hospital.

Mohibul Haque, acting secretary of Civil Aviation and Tourism Ministry, said as per the directives of Saudi Arabia no additional flights will be allowed this year. The pilgrims have to go to Saudi Arabia on their scheduled flight, he said.