Pilgrims Stranded In Mecca

HUNDREDS OF Ghanaian pilgrims in Saudi Arabia are anxious to return home after the completion of the hajj rituals.

The pilgrims are currently stuck in Mecca awaiting their movement to Medina, where they would visit the mosque of the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

Members of the Hajj Council have already held two meetings with the management of the Alama group over when to commence the airlifting mission.

While many of the pilgrims are complaining about dry pockets, a number of the aged are falling ill and the medical team is eager to have the pilgrims airlifted back home because of the deteriorating health of the frail and aged.

Businesswomen who are briskly making money through the sale of Ghanaian dishes would rather, however, like the pilgrims to stay a little longer.

Managers of the pilgrimage were earlier faced with the problem of accommodation because of an unexpected increase in the number of pilgrims. Some illegal immigrants and others who flew via scheduled flights lodged at the acquired accommodation scattered in two separate areas of Mecca.From A. R. Gomda, Mecca, Saudi Arabia