Pilgrims office begins preparation for hajj
The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) has begun preparations for the smooth operations of Hajj with the early announcement of the 2016 hajj package.
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The Chairman of the Hajj Agents Association of Ghana, Alhaji Issah Umar Sulemana, told the Daily Graphic after the association’s evaluation of the 2015 meeting in Accra that the hajj committee would maintain last year’s package fare of US$3,450 or the cedi equivalent of GH¢12,000.
Alhaji Sulemana said the pilgrims’ office had embarked on some reforms of the organisation of hajj to bring comfort to the pilgrims.
“All measures would be put in place to ensure that pilgrims enjoy the maximum comfort as they embark on the spiritual journey”, he said.
The Administrative Secretary of the Hajj Committee, Alhaji Manaf Muhammed Osuman, advised prospective pilgrims to make early payment in order to avoid some of the inconveniences associated with the trip to the holy land.
Last year, the Chairman of PAOG, Alhaji Abdul Rauf Tanko, nearly cut down the number of flights due to uncertainty regarding the number of pilgrims who would embark on the hajj.
Saudi Ambassador support
Officials of the Hajj Secretariat have praised the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Ghana, Mr Hesham Meshal Alsowilem, for his personal assistance in the organisation of a hitch-free hajj.
“The ambassador has worked tirelessly with us at the secretariat to ensure that we have a successful and smooth journey to the holy land.”
Spelling out the planned programmes for the 2016 Hajj, Alhaji Manaf Muhammad Osuman said priority would be given to pilgrims who met all the financial obligations but could not embark on last year’s hajj.
Last year, some pilgrims who had paid could not be airlifted to Mecca due to some technical challenges, including the late submission of particulars, the use of unaccredited agents and interruptions in the registration system.
Chief Imam applauds Pilgrims Affairs Office
The organisation of hajj in the country for the past three years has been applauded by many Muslims, including the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Nuhu Sharubutu.
President John Dramani Mahama and Vice-President Kwesi Amissah-Arthur also had, on different occasions, lauded the efforts of the current administration in improving and streamlining the activities of hajj.
This year, more than 5,000 pilgrims are expected to embark on the holy journey to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and the preparations had already begun in earnest, according to the Pilgrims Affairs of Ghana.
Significance of hajj
The hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam, which requires Muslims around the world to undertake pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lifetime.
The pilgrimage to Mecca makes Muslims feel the real importance of life on earth and the afterlife by stripping away all markers of social status, wealth and pride.