President John Dramani Mahama has commended the Ghana Hajj Board and all stakeholders for what he described as the successful organisation of this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
According to the President, approximately 6,900 Ghanaian pilgrims were airlifted to Saudi Arabia to perform the sacred Islamic pilgrimage, with reports indicating that arrangements for accommodation, feeding, transportation and the general welfare of pilgrims had been satisfactory.
Speaking in his Eid-ul-Adha message, President Mahama said he had received encouraging reports regarding the conduct of the pilgrimage and the services provided to Ghanaian pilgrims.
“I have received encouraging reports on their accommodation, feeding arrangements, transport and overall welfare,” he stated.
The President therefore commended the Ghana Hajj Board and all individuals and institutions involved in the pilgrimage exercise for their dedication and hard work in ensuring a smooth and successful Hajj operation.
Touching on the significance of the pilgrimage, President Mahama noted that the Day of Arafah, observed on Thursday, remains one of the holiest days in Islam, during which pilgrims gather to pray, seek forgiveness and offer supplications to Allah.
He prayed for Allah’s acceptance of the prayers and supplications offered by Ghanaian pilgrims and asked for their safe return home after completing the religious rites.
“We pray that Almighty Allah will accept the prayers and supplications of all our pilgrims and grant them a safe return journey back home,” he said.
The President, however, expressed sadness over the deaths of Ghanaian pilgrims during this year’s Hajj.
On behalf of the Government and people of Ghana, he extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the deceased.
“I offer my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray that Allah will forgive their sins and grant them Jannatul Firdaus,” President Mahama said.
The annual Hajj pilgrimage is one of the five pillars of Islam and attracts millions of Muslims from across the world to the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah in Saudi Arabia.
