Mills calls for complaint-free Hajj this year

Accra, Sept. 10, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Friday urged the National Hajj Planning Committee to ensure fairness, truth, transparency and objectivity in the organisation of this year's Hajj.

He gave the assurance that government would continue to support the organisation of pilgrimage as it had done over the years.

Addressing a congregation of Muslims at the Independence Square in Accra, to celebrate this year's Eid-ul Fetri, President Mills said government wanted to make sure that at the end of the Hajj, there would be no complaints and people, who would undertake the Hajj, would get what they hoped for.

President Mills commended the Muslim faithful for going through the long period of fasting, which was a spiritual cleansing to rededicate themselves, and to invoke the blessings of Allah on themselves, their families and the nation.

He reiterated that the nation at times needed the prayers of Muslims, and the religious community to access divine blessings in the national efforts to build a Better Ghana.

"I urge you not to let your fasting be in vain, but continue to seek the tenets of Allah, so that we can do what it right and pleasing for the nation's prosperity.

Sheikh Osmanu Nuhu Sharabutu, National Chief Imam, in a sermon stressed on patience and obedience to Allah and the Islamic tenets of sacrifice, giving to the poor, unity, and not to fight with one another, warning that "if you disobey you will become weak and your spirit will wane."

He advised the youth and the Muslim community to desist from any act, which would defame the religion of Islam and the country as a whole, adding that even though Ghanaians belonged to different political parties and religious groups, they were all one people at the end of the day.

The National Chief Imam advised motor bicycle riders to desist from reckless riding so as not to disturb the peace of the communities.

Meanwhile, President Mills has presented a total of 880 bags of 25 kilogram bags of rice and 365 cartons of 20-litre oil to the Muslim community towards the celebration.