The first pilgrim badge was airlifted from Tamale’s Yakubu Tali International Airport to Mecca yesterday, Saturday, May 10, marking the commencement of the 2025 edition of the yearly pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to information obtained by THE Custodian Online, around 417 individuals were flown from Tamale on Saturday morning at approximately 11 a.m.
In a media interview, Northern Regional Minister Hon. Ali Adolf praised President John Dramani Mahama for lowering Hajj prices in order to help the Muslim community.
The Minister claimed that the previous government’s GHS75,000 Hajj ticket was deterring potential pilgrims from participating in these crucial, holy rites.
Thus, he said it was a good idea for the Mahama administration to lower the price for Ghanaian Muslims who wanted to go to GHS62,000 instead.
The potential pilgrims will be able to save some money for their maintenance while in Saudi Arabia, according to Ali Adolf.
The Regional Minister also took use of the occasion to urge the pilgrims to follow the law and work with Saudi and Ghanaian authorities throughout their time in Mecca.
To say goodbye to the pilgrims, the Interior Minister, who also serves as the Minister of National Security, spoke on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama.
Among the government representatives at the airport to say goodbye to the pilgrims were the Minister of Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, and a few members of Parliament.
Source: newsthemegh.com