Muslims Leave For Hajj

The first batch of 266 Ghanaian Muslim pilgrims left the Kotoka International Airport for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last night on board an Egypt Air flight to perform this year's Hajj.

The successful departure was the first time in many years that the pilgrimage had been organised in Ghana without any hitches.

Unlike the previous occasions where pilgrims were left in the open at Aviance grounds for days before departure, this time the pilgrims were camped in air-conditioned tents at the Hajj Village, where immigration and customs officials checked their travelling documents and screened their luggage. Airport health officials also checked the health status of the pilgrims.

Customs officials rejected foodstuffs, cola nuts, tablets and ‘alata samina’ (local soap), which are prohibited by the Saudi Hajj authorities. No pilgrim was turned down by the immigration officials.

The pilgrims were scheduled to be lifted around 3p.m. but the Egypt Air flight delayed for some four hours due to technical hitches.

The pilgrims were expected to land at the Madina Airport within eight hours, where they would stay for three days to visit Prophet Mohammed's mosque and other historic sites before proceeding to Mecca to await the commencement of the Hajj rites on November 26, 2009.

The first batch of 266 forms part of the about 3,000 Ghanaian Muslims who are to join about two million Muslims from other countries to embark on the holy pilgrimage to Mecca.

The second batch of 266 pilgrims are to be lifted today. The last batch leaves on November 18. The return journey starts on December 12, 2009 and ends on December 20, 2009.

Hajj organisation in Ghana has always been fraught with delayed departures, poor accommodation in Saudi, late return journey and loss of luggage but this time, Hajj agents and pilgrims, in separate interviews, commended the National Hajj Committee and the government for the successful organisation of the pilgrimage.

The Managing Director (MD) of Al-Balad Travel and Tours, Alhaji Garba Ibrahim, described the organisation of this year’s Hajj in terms of arrangements at the Hajj Village, flight and accommodation in Mecca as “excellent” so far.

He said this year was the first time that pilgrims had been given their travelling documents hours before their departure.

The MD of Anasarr Travelling Agency, Alhaji Manaf Ibrahim, also said the organisation of the Hajj was so far good and expressed the hope that it would continue this way.

One of the pilgrims, Mr Bashir Yahaya from Kumasi, said his stay at the camp was without any difficulties and that he had already received his travelling documents.

“All I can say is that the organisation of the Hajj has been very good,” he said.

Another pilgrim, Inusah Abubakar, 65, from Tamale said: “I’m a happy about the arrangement. We are being kept in a tent and not outside for people to see what we do”.

Hajia Amina Adamu, 62, said she had slept well in the air-conditioned tents without any worries, and that she was okay with the arrangements so far.

The Chairman of the Hajj Committee, Alhaji Alhassan Bene, attributed the success of the Hajj organisation to team work, dedication and a desire to assist Muslims to perform the Hajj without any difficulties.

He said the Hajj Committee wanted every Ghanaian Muslim pilgrim to be able to perform his or her religious obligation of Hajj in an atmosphere of peace, security and comfort.

Alhaji Bene commended President John Evans Atta Mills, Vice-President John Dramani Mahama, and the National Chief Imam for their immense support in the successful organisation of the Hajj.

Share Your Thoughts on this article Name Email Location Comments Graphic Ghana may edit your comments and not all comments will be published