Muslim women threaten to demonstrate

Kumasi, Oct 27, GNA - The Ashanti Regional branch of the Ghana Muslim Women's Association of the Federation of Hajj has threatened to embark on a massive demonstration to protest against the recent increase in the Hajj fares if the Hajj Board does not reverse the decision. The association stated at a news conference that the fares were too exorbitant and unless the Hajj Board reviewed them downwards, nothing would stop them from demonstrating.

The Hajj Board recently announced that Hajj fare for this year is 2,200 dollars per pilgrim.

Addressing the conference, Hajia Hajara, the Ashanti Regional President of the association, said they found the increment not only unfair but also an indictment on the Muslim religion. She said it was a deliberate attempt to impede the chances of many more Muslims from making the Hajj.

Hajia Hajara said the prudent thing for the Board to do was to reduce fare from the 2,200 dollars to 1,800 dollars, which she said would be acceptable to all and sundry.

Hajia Mary Abdul Karim, a patron of the Federation, said they saw no reason why pilgrims from Ethiopia and Egypt have to pay less while those from Ghana are made to pay higher fares.