Veep inaugurates Hajj Village— Interacts with first batch of pilgrims

12/11/2010


Story: Musah Yahaya Jafaru
THE Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, yesterday inaugurated the Hajj Village near the El-Wak Stadium in Accra, with the assurance that this year’s Hajj will be problem-free.
He commended the National Hajj Committee (NHC) for organising a trouble-free Hajj last year, and indicated that with the arrangements so far, “this year’s Hajj will be far more successful”.
Facilities at the Hajj Village include a 500-capacity air-conditioned tents for pilgrims, washrooms, places for the performance of ablution, a clinic and offices for the NHC and Immigration officers.
Mr Mahama inspected the facilities and interacted with the first batch of 266 pilgrims expected to leave for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia later yesterday.
He was accompanied by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharubutu, the Imam of Ahlussunna Wal Jama’
a, Sheikh Umar Ibrahim Imam, a member of the Council of State, Hajia Hawawu Boya, the Deputy Majority Leader in Parliament, Mr Rashid Pelpuo, a Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr Alex Segbefia, deputy ministers of state and the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Sameer Assad.
Mr Mahama said the arrangement was for all the pilgrims to be taken to Saudi Arabia on time for them to prepare for the Hajj rites, and indicated that each pilgrim would be away for one month.
He wished the pilgrims safe journey and asked them to pray for the government and President John Evans Atta Mills to have the wisdom to lead the country to have more peace and prosperity.
Mr Mahama commended the Zoomlion Waste Management Company for putting up the air-conditioned tents as it did last year.
The Egypt Air flight was scheduled to fly the pilgrims direct to Madina, where they will stay for three days to pray in the mosque of Prophet Muhammad, before moving to Mecca to await the start of the Hajj rites.
The Chairman of the National Hajj Committee (NHC), Alhaji Alhasan Bene, said the pilgrims would be accompanied by a medical team and the leader of the task force, Alhaji Mahama Fuseini, to cater for their health and other social needs.
He said the pilgrims would be given free Hajj veils and waste bags to ensure uniformity and protect their documents from getting lost.
Alhaji Bene said only prospective pilgrims would be allowed into the Hajj Village, which will be manned by personnel of the Military Police.
He said about nine flights were expected to lift 2,500 pilgrims and indicated that one flight was expected to leave each day, with two flights leaving on some days.
He warned prospective pilgrims against taking items prohibited by the Saudi authorities, such as foodstuffs, drugs and kola nuts, and urged them to be good ambassadors of Ghana.
Sheikh Sharubutu urged the pilgrims not to engage in any social vices and rather live in peace and harmony with each other.
The Manager of Al-Blad Travel and Tours, Alhaji Gariba Ibrahim, expressed satisfaction at the organisation in terms of documentation, camping and departure formalities.
Mr Assad lauded the NHC for presenting the passports on time, and indicated that the Saudi Embassy had already issued 1,700 visas and would be issuing the remaining 800 without any hitches.
Hajj organisation in Ghana in the past had been characterised by delays in departure, poor accommodation in Saudi Arabia, late return and loss of luggage.
But last year’s Hajj saw a significant improvement, as the pilgrims were, for the first time, made to sleep in air-conditioned tents at the Hajj Village, left for the Hajj without delay, returned home on time and had their luggage intact.
Encouraged by last year’s success, Alhaji Bene expressed the hope that with the improved organisation so far, this year’s Hajj would be even better than last year’s.