Concerns have been raised by Mr. Habib Iddrisu, the Tolon Member of Parliament, over the difficulties some Muslim Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have in finding lodging and food.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament on Tuesday, May 27, Mr. Iddrisu said that the present Hajj Taskforce has implemented inadequate accommodations, resulting in the eviction of some Ghanaian pilgrims from their hotel rooms in Saudi Arabia and their sleeping conditions in a state of insanity.
The congressman said that the government had denied institutional memory to the Hajj organization this year by dismissing some of the former government appointees on the Hajj Board.
Mr. Iddrisu, the First Deputy Minority Chief Whip, stated that some Hajj pilgrims were having severe problems in Mecca and were unable to obtain food. He called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other pertinent state agencies to step in and help restore the dignity of Ghanaian pilgrims performing the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
The lawmaker claimed that even though the Mahama-led government had lowered Hajj airfares from GHS 75,000 to GHS 62,000 for this year’s Hajj, the pilgrims were currently stuck in a foreign country, and the price decrease had no beneficial effect on them.
Mr. Iddrisu emphasized the necessity of depoliticizing the Hajj organization and bringing back the planning’s honor.
Currently, more than 5,000 pilgrims from Ghana are participating in this year’s Hajj at the Saudi Arabian holy city of Mecca.
One of the five pillars of Islam is the Hajj, the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.
If they have the financial means, it is anticipated that every Muslim will visit the holy city of Mecca at least once in their lives.
Source: newsthemegh.com