39 repatriated Ghanaians to fly back to Saudi today

About thirty nine female pilgrims are expected to fly back to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after they were repatriated by the authorities for flouting Hajj rules.

Per Saudi Arabia rules, female pilgrims under age 40 must be accompanies by a male relative when going on the pilgrimage; but the 39 including nine minors were sent back home on the grounds that they had no male relation.

Communications Director of the National Hajj Committee Alhassan Suhuyini told Citi News, they are working to ensure the pilgrims go back to Saudi Arabia to complete the rituals.

“We are working with the Saudi Arabian Embassy here in Ghana and the Immigration officials so that they can return with the flight that will be leaving Tuesday morning,'' he stated.

39 female pilgrims from Ghana were repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for various ‘offences.’

Of the 39, nine were minors, while the others, less than 40 years, were repatriated for not being without male guardians.

“Its because of the laws of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; they do not expect female pilgrims who are below forty years to enter the country for Hajj purposes unaccompanied so if you are less than 40 years, you need to have a guardian and your guardian could be your husband, brother, cousin, or any family relative but there are times that because of our flight schedules and sometimes the process of acquiring visas, people  do not go together with their guardian,” Suhuyini explained.

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By: Lorrencia Nkrumah/citifmonline.com/Ghana