Ghana Hajj 2023: Feature- POLITICS OF HAJJ; A RECIPE TO LOSS OF ISLAMIC FAITH

 

_A case study from a current audio-visual comments by Former Ghana's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Alhaji Said Sinare  _   

In 2016, the Ghana Hajj board announced $3,450 equivalent to GHC 11,900 with an exchange rate of GHC 3.45 to the $1 in 2016, Meanwhile our brothers from Nigeria paid a maximum amount of $1,500 equivalent to 1,155,947.42 Naira and a minimum of $750 equivalent of 1,008,197  For that matter, the Ghana Hajj fare was twice that of Nigeria and Alhaji Sinare who tried playing politics with Hajj operations was the Ghana's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and it must be discouraged irrespective of one's political affiliation. 

 Even with the Hajj fare of GHC 11,900 in 2016, Ghana participated fully in the Hajj despite some initial complaints of how expensive it was at that time which wasn't the fault of the Hajj board by then because Muslims consider the last pillar of Islam as a life time spiritual achievement and another way of reaching out to Allah directly. So every Muslim irrespective of how much it cost to perform Hajj and is in their reach, they will sacrifice their legitimate resources to embark on Hajj pilgrimage. 

 Before the world was hit by COVID-19 pandemic, there were no taxes in Saudi Arabia and a litre of patrol cost less than a litre of bottled water.   The world was hit with COVID-19 pandemic which affected every nation of the world economically. As a result, hajj pilgrimage was suspended for countries outside Saudi Arabia for two years until 2022. Saudi Arabia had increase the VAT from 5% to %15 which translated into high cost of performing Hajj for all countries.  

Post COVID-19 pandemic also saw a surge in the forex market especially doing business or transacting in the USA dollar. The recovery program of industrialized countries has pushed prize of goods and services to rise thus having direct effect to third world countries like Ghana and Nigeria where imports are higher than export. This and many factors have therefore affected the Cedi in the forex market forcing the Cedi to depreciate against the USA dollar of $1 to GHC 12.9. 

 This year's Hajj fares of various countries including developed countries are hitting a maximum of $8,000 and a minimum of $5,400 depending on the airline proximity and cost.  The high cost of Hajj and Umrah has therefore compelled the Ghana Hajj Board to fix the Hajj fare in correspondence to the cost of hajj services in Saudi Arabia including airline services, aviation charges and other administrative costs. The Ghana Hajj fare includes feeding of pilgrims twice a day from Madina and the rest of the stay in Saudi Arabia which wasn't the case in 2016 and the Hajj operations before 2016.  Even with the depreciation of the Cedi to the USA dollar, the Ghana Hajj Board has pegged the exchange rate to GHC 11.5 to $1 for prospective Ghanaian pilgrims to be able to pay the $6,500 hajj fare which is the GHC 75,000 instead of paying around GHC 84,000 With an exchange rate of GHC 12.9 to $1.  

In conclusion, every Ghanaian Muslim living in and outside Ghana sho uld with fear of Allah avoid using Hajj operations in partisan politics irrespective of the political regime. There should be a consensus in Hajj related matters across board and issues of Hajj should be treated sacred and in accordance with the teachings of Prophet Mohammed S.A.W. which ever Hajj Board is in service should be given the needed support in solidarity to succeed.   

Tanko Mohammed Rabiu 

Hajj and Umrah independent Reporter

Iran's council for policy making and religious dialogue condemns the burning of Holy Quran in Sweden

 

Hojjat-ul-Islam Wal-Muslimeen Mohammad Mardi Imanipour

The head of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Council for Policy Making and Coordination of Religious Dialogue, Hojjat-ul-Islam Wal-Muslimeen Mohammad Mardi Imanipour has strongly condemn the burning of the Holy Qur'an in front of Turkish Embassy in Sweden.

According to him in a press release sighted by Ghanaweb.com , this is not the first time Sweden is exhibiting religious hatred towards Islam and Muslims.

The press release further stated " This time, we witnessed the burning of the hearts and lives of millions of Muslims in the form of the Holy Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy in Sweden".

" Muslims live their lives by the Quran, grow by the Quran and return to God by the Qur'an".

He continues " it is not a secret that these evil behaviours seriously harm the fabric of a peaceful inter-religious and multicultural coexistence while darkening the atmosphere for inter-religious and intercultural dialogue".

Below is the full statement.

Message from Hojjatul Islam Imanipour, President ICRO, Tehran I.R Iran Condemning the burning of the Holy Quran in Sweden:

In the name of the most high

Once again, another mischief: dust thrown upon the sun (an abomination)!

From time to time, under false pretenses, with the support of the so-called 'pro-freedom governments', the emissaries of Satan desecrate sanctified Islamic artifacts!

This time, we witnessed the burning of the hearts and lives of millions of Muslims in the form of the Holy Quran in front of the Turkish embassy in Sweden.

This is not the first time that Sweden has become the arena of satanic shows against Islam and Muslims.

The Holy Qur'an and its revealed verses are the most sacred, dearest and greatest relic of the Holy Prophet - may the peace and blessings of God be upon him and his pure family - among Muslims.

Muslims live their lives by the Quran, grow by the Quran and return to God by the Quran. The Holy Quran is the book of life, death and resurrection for Muslims. Muslims all over the world, day and night; recite verses from this divine book, pray to God with the Holy Qur'an: sanctify, honor, love it, and spend their lives on earth by it.

Holding such a mischievous public spectacle under the pretext of protecting freedom, angers Muslims who have always respected the holy artifacts, symbols, rituals and temples of other religions from the endless cruelty and darkness of such demonic shows.

It is not a secret that these evil behaviors seriously harm the fabric of a peaceful inter-religious and multicultural coexistence while darkening the atmosphere for inter-religious and intercultural dialogue.

I, as the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Council for Policy Making and Coordination of Religious Dialogue, strongly condemn the burning of the Holy Qur'an, insulting religious holy artifacts, and the wounding of the hearts and souls of millions of Muslims.

The minimum anticipation of the followers of the Holy Quran from religious leaders, intellectuals and free people of the world; especially the residents of Western Europe and North America, which has become the scene of these shameful shows for years, is to declare an unmistakable opposition to these acts of Islamophobia: the burning of Muslim Artifacts, and to expose the false and fraudulent equation of such to freedom. This is sacrilege!

We pray to Almighty God not to take us away from His love, light and pathway.

Hojjat-ul-Islam wal-Muslimeen Mohammad Mahdi Imanipour (the head of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Council for Religious Dialogue, Policy and Coordination).

Hajj 2023: photos: Ghana completes all arrangements for Hajj 2023

 The Ghana Hajj delegation to the 2023 Hajj conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia led by the director of finanance of the pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana, Alhaji Farouk Hamza have completed all arrangements towards this year's Hajj pilgrimage including signing a memorandum of understanding ( MOU) with the Saudi Arabia ministry of Hajj anď Umarah.

More soon.

Tanko Mohammed Rabiu. 

Hajj 2023- Photos - Ghanaian Hajj delegation at Hajj conference in Saudi Arabia

 Ghana Hajj board signs MOU with Ministry of Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia for 2023 Hajj season.

More updates soon.

 

  

More soon.

 

 

YA-NA THANKED AKUFFO ADDO FOR HITCH FREE 2022 HAJJ SEASON WITH COMMENDATIONS TO THE HAJJ BOARD

 

The King and overlord of Dagbon, Ya-Na Abubakari II has poured in praises and words of acknowledgement and thanks to the president of Ghana, Nana Akuffo Addo for contributing immensely to the success of this year's Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi, especially the good treatment pilgrims from the Northern part of Ghana had from the Ghana Hajj Board.

The King of Dagbon made this sincere remarks when His Excellency Nana Akuffo Addo paid a courtesy call on him at his palace in Yendi on his two day working visit to the Northern Region.

Ya-Na Abubakari who according to his speech, monitored with keen interest the Hajj operations in Tamale and in Saudi Arabia, was excited with the manner officials and the leadership of the Hajj Board led by the director of finance and administration of the Hajj board, Alhaji Farouk Hamza handled the organisation of the Hajj from Tamale, Accra and in Saudi Arabia.

" Your Excellency, this year, Hajj 2022 was efficiently organized here in Tamale, pilgrims travelled to Mecca and Medina and observed their religious obligations in-line with their faith without any hitch. Whiles pilgrims were in Saudi Arabia, I monitored with keen interest the activities and the welfare of pilgrims over there. The feedback was great and I am happy that the pilgrims mostly from Dagbon state were treated with dignity. The Dagbon state, predominantly Muslim, contributes about 65% of the entire Ghana pilgrim population, therefore, I have particular interest in the activities of Hajj in Ghana. The organizers of the Hajj process here in Tamale did a good job and I commend your government for such a wonderful feat", Ya-Na eulogised Akuffo Addo.

The Akuffo Addo-Bawumia government has invested and supported Hajj operations in Ghana since 2017 and has chalked many successes including this year's Hajj.The Ghana Hajj Board through the support of its stakeholders, has this year, putting big smiles on the faces of Ghanaian pilgrims with excellent services.

END.

HAJJ 2022- GHANA SHARES EXCESS FOOD TO PILGRIMS OF OTHER COUNTRIES

 MINA, SAUDI ARABIA 

Pilgrims from some African countries that shares boundaries with Ghana camp in Mina at the ongoing Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia, have benefited from the excess food given to Ghanaian pilgrims by the Ghana Hajj board as part of their daily meals during their stay in Mina.

Some members of the Ghana Hajj task force and the communication unit led by the deputy communication director, Hajia Sissey Mariam went round and distributed the excess "Ghana Jollof" to some pilgrims of other countries closer to Ghana's camp in Mina for the sake of oneness, regional- religious integration and for mankind. These pilgrims received the food with smiles on their faces depicting solidarity with thanks to Ghana Hajj Board and the president of Ghana and vice president Dr Alhaji Mahamud Bawumia for making it possible for Ghanaians to have enough food which ends up benefiting other people.

The quality of the food is something that Ghanaian pilgrims are commending and other pilgrims who are fortunate to taste the food are talking about with sincerity.

The Ghana Hajj board make available three square meals to Ghanaian pilgrims since they arrived in Mina for the Hajj and this gestures and privileges are missing in many countries participating in this year's Hajj especially the African countries.

Hajjcommunications

HAJJ 2022- OTHER AFRICA PILGRIMS COMMENDS GHANA HAJJ BOARD FOR EXCELLENT ORGANISATION

 MINA, SAUDI ARABIA 

Most pilgrims from other African countries like Chad, Nigeria, Togo, Mali, BurkinaFaso, Senegal and host of other countries have lauded and commended the Ghana Hajj board for an excellent and well organised Hajj operations in this year's Hajj despite the short period Ghana used in airlifting its pilgrims.

These commendations and praises comes on the backdrop of how Ghanaian pilgrims easily identify and locate their place of residence in Mina and Arafah and most especially the signals kept at advantage points from the exit of Jamarat to the tents of Ghana.

Ghana flag stickers and flags have been posted and hoisted respectively directing Ghanaian pilgrims to their tents which has immensely aided Ghanaian pilgrims to their tents without getting missing as it is happening to most pilgrims from other African countries.

Most pilgrims from these African countries are making good use of the posted and hoisted Ghana flags especially countries that have their tents closer or nearer Ghana's tents.

Mina is a city of about 2 million tents dotted around a certain area demarcation and are identical to each other and all in white colour with the same shape and sizes depending on how one looks at it.

Apart from the posting and hosting of Ghana flags and stickers, selected officials and pilgrims from Ghana have been tasked with the responsibility of always moving around with Ghana colors especially when pilgrims are at Jamarat, Muzdalifa and Within Mina for easy location of lost Ghanaian pilgrims.

Although each tents in Mina has a service number, pilgrims still get loss due to the complexity of the structural arrangements of the tents.

To be fair to the other Aftican countries, few of their Hajj commission officials wears a reflector jackets but is not enough or is inadequate to get their pilgrims locate their tents with ease.

Our news team encountered with these pilgrims from Africa countries who got lost  returning from Jamarat ( Devil Stoning). Majority of the lost pilgrims from these countries confided in our news reporters that they follow the arrangement of the Ghana flags and stickers to where their tents are because their tents are near Ghana's tents. They therefore commended the Ghana Hajj board and the pilgrims affairs office of Ghana for that humanitarian initiative which is lacking in their respective Hajj missions.

Hajj communications