Prez Mahama sees off Hajj Pilgrims today

President John Dramani Mahama will officially inaugurate the 2015 Hajj at a brief ceremony at the Ghana Pilgrims’ Affairs secretariat, near Kotoka International Airport.

As part of the activities lined up, President Mahama will formally see off the first batch of Ghanaian pilgrims embarking on this year’s holy journey to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Among dignitaries to help the President perform today’s ceremony, The Al-Hajj has gathered, will include, the Saudi Ambassador to Ghana, Chief Operating Officer of UNIBANK, Dr Kwabena Duffuor Junior; National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu; Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah; Ministers of state and members of the Ghana’s pilgrims affairs led by its chairman, Alhaji Abdul Rauf Tanko.

This year, a total of 5424 Ghanaians are expected to embark on the hajj, with each pilgrim paying $3450 or GHc11,900, which is a special rate determined by the Pilgrims Affairs.

The first batch of 450 pilgrims will leave the shores of Ghana after midnight today on board NAS Air which will be followed with daily airlifting of the remaining pilgrims from the Kotoka International Airport until the last flight on September 16, 2015.

In line with the Pilgrims Affairs secretariat’s commitment of ensuring utmost convenience of pilgrims, the secretariat has made adequate security, medical and logistics arrangements for the about 5424 pilgrims, a figure representing the quota given to Ghana.

With regards accommodation, Alhaji Rauf Tanko, at a press conference early this year to announce the package for this year’s hajj, noted that, the secretariat has secured 5800 comfortable and convenient sleeping places, adding “the accommodation is for one month in Mecca, 3 days in Madina and 3 days in Mina.”

Unlike previous Hajjs, Alhaji Rauf Tanko stated that “pilgrims are to take note that each pilgrim will be entitled to two piece of luggage only, each weighing a maximum of 23 kilos and one hand luggage, weighing not more than 10 kilos.”

He said the secretariat will only be responsible for feeding in Mina and Arafat, stressing that pilgrims would have to take care of their own feeding in Mecca and Madina.

Alhaji Tanko added that, like it was done in previous Hajj under his watch, the secretariat will make available to each pilgrim a gallon of Zamzam (Holy) water on arrival in Accra.

“Prospective pilgrims are to take note that each pilgrim will be entitled to two piece of luggage only, each weighing a maximum of 23 kilos and one hand luggage, weighing not more than 10 kilos,” he added.

To make things easier, the Pilgrims’ Affairs secretariat has for the first time introduced a universal bagging system like other countries. Each pilgrim will be supplied with three bags and a waist bag at a discounted rate.”

The first return flight from Jedda will be on October 08, 2015.