Sheikh IC Quaye Says 2018 Hajj Unprecedented
The Chairman of the Pilgrimage Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) ,Sheikh I. C. Quaye has described the 2018 hajj as the best in the annals of Ghana's hajj operations .
Sheikh I. C Quaye added that the current administration has laid a smooth foundation for a challenge free hajj operations which has never been seen before in Ghana.
The Hajj Board Chairman was addressing the press in Accra during the occasion of a thanksgiving ceremony organised by the PAOG to climax the 2018 hajj operations when he made the statements.
He however attributed the success of the operations to the tremendous efforts offered the Board by the government and other stakeholders such as the Hajj agents and pilgrims.
" The huge financial and moral support and cooperation accorded the Hajj Board by the President and his Vice , together with the support of the Finance Minister, Hon. Ken Ofori Atta accounted for the successes chalked ".
To this end, he expressed the appreciation of the Muslim population in Ghana led by the National Chief Imam , Sheikh Dr. Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu and the Hajj Board to the government for the help.
He mentioned among other things the curtailing of long delays and waiting hours at airport by pilgrims, enhancements of security during hajj operations and the proper streamlining of visa acquisition processes at the Saudi Arabia Embassy for would be pilgrims as some of the indelible successes chalked by the 2018 hajj operations.
Sheikh I. C. Quaye noted that last year's hajj amply points to the beginning of the change in Hajj operations as directed by President Akuffo Addo during the swearing in ceremony of the Board.
The President he added called on members of the Board to to ensure that Hajj is made stress free devoid of the usual frustrations and pain endured by pilgrims over the years.
Measures put in place by the Board such as the face-lift given to medical service as well as media relations direcorate of the PAOG to the admiration of pilgrims and families helped in achieving goals of both the Board and government respectively.
Sheikh I. C Quaye however mentioned that they encountered some difficulties which they were able to deal with. He mentioned the continues carrying of prohibited items into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by business persons ,which he pledged the Board's commitment to help eradicate in subsequent operations.
He also pointed out that the case of elderly persons performing the pilgrimage without a guide also posed a challenge for his outfit . He therefore promised that they will give special attention to these and other problems in the 2019 Hajj operations.
Ghanaian Muslims, Sheikh I. C. Quaye pointed out, have over the years yearned and prayed for a well organized hajj that will project their image in the country and beyond. The Akuffo Addo and Dr. Bawumia led government has now sewn a good seed that needs regular watering to grow into a full-blown institution.
He therefore called on Ghanaian Muslim to support and pray for the government and the Hajj Board to succeed.
On his part, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, the head of the PAOG Daawa Directorate, thanked God for his guidance during the last hajj operations.
He also commended the government for the support accorded the HajjBoard and the Hajj stakeholders for their tremendous efforts in ensuring the success of the Hajj pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim also ceased the occasion to call on Zongo chiefs and Imams to use their respected offices to caution the youth of the Zongos to desist from causing violence in the country.
He cited and bemoaned the recent attack on the office premises of prophet Owusu Bempah by some Muslim youth in reaction to some prophecies made by the pastor that notable Ghanaian citizens including the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr. Osumanu Nuhu Sharubutu will die this year.
He condemned the acts of vandalism and advised Muslim youth to be worthy ambassadors for the Islamic faith. Engaging in such violence acts by our youth will only degrade the good image of Islam in the eyes of the people especially the non-Muslims and also send a wrong signal that Islam is a violent religion.
The Thanksgiving ceremony brought together chiefs, the clergy, hajj agents and the media.