The initial group of 427 pilgrims bound for this year’s Hajj has been flown from Tamale International Airport to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
This contingent is part of approximately 4,000 individuals slated for airlifting to Mecca for the pilgrimage.
As one of the five pillars of Islam, Muslims are obliged to undertake a pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime.
Every year, millions of Muslims from across the globe journey to Mecca to perform Hajj, with this year’s pilgrimage costing approximately GHC 75,000 per passenger.
The first of nine scheduled flights for this year’s Hajj departed from Tamale International Airport in the Northern Region on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, with the final of four flights departing from Tamale set to leave on Friday.
Addressing the pilgrims, the Chairman of the Hajj Board, Ben Abdallah Banda, urged them to be vigilant against individuals attempting to embark on the journey without following the proper legal procedures but seeking accommodation nonetheless.
“We know a lot of people didn’t do business with the Ghana Hajj board, they went on their own, they didn’t take visas from the board and some of them as were airlifted to Saudi Arabia, they’ll come and plead with us to give them accommodation where we sleep.”
“I want to plead with you that it is illegal to help this people. Let’s try to be good ambassadors and whatever you may need in Mina or Mecca, the team from the Hajj Board will be there to help you “
“Your accommodation is ready and you’re going to be given two square meals a day”.