.The Ghana Hajj Board is a body constituted by the government. It is made up of 11 members with experience under the leadership of Sheikh...
.The Ghana Hajj Board is a body constituted by the government. It is made up of 11 members with experience under the leadership of Sheikh I.C Quaye, a former minister of state.The Hajj board has a system and structure that regulates the affairs of Hajj.
Agents are not part of the Hajj board but an Association called the Ghana Agents Association who are service providers or facilitators. They work hand –in-hand with the hajj board to look for pilgrims for the hajj board and take commission for their service. This association has a representative on the Hajj board.
However, issues associated with pilgrimage has been recorded in recent years. It’s unfortunate the Hajj board is blamed for the challenges pilgrims face with the agents. Monies paid to agents are usually not automatic payments to the hajj board until it is received by the board and an official receipt given. Some pilgrims pay in installment and expect to be given visa on time when full payment has not being made hence the refusal of visa.
In an interview with Alhaji Rauf Anwar Sadat, member of the Hajj Board Communication team he said: “I will say on authority that no pilgrim who paid to the hajj board with receipt was left behind and all the luggage of these pilgrims are handed over to them without any problem. The Hajj board has made tremendous improvement in the hajj system. Do not make the Hajj board your enemy if they are not able to give you free visa."
The Dawah committee member, Alhaji Abubakar Hussein in the same interview pleaded with Ghanaians that when it comes to matters of Ibadat or worship, let's learn to take politics out of it. He explained that most people come to Hajj to do politics. Mina, Arafat, Muslifa and Jamarat are not comfort zones but a place for worship. Most women pilgrims however do not listen to the Dawah committee when instructed on what to do. Hence, end up creating problems for the entire board in the long run.This years Hajj has been very successful,Ahaji Rauf Anwar Sadat added.
Writter,
Mariam Shaibu.
