I have watched a disturbing interview (video) by our brother Umaru Sanda Amadu of Citi FM and Citi TV in which one Hajia a recent Ghanaian pilgrim who was said to have died in Makkah this year returned home. Umaru Sanda in his interview said the family upon receiving the information from the officials in charge of this year’s Hajj activities went ahead to perform the Janaza (funeral rites for the dead). This incident has sparked mixed feelings and reactions among his family members as well as the Muslim Ummah in Ghana and her well wishers.
As a Muslim, my personal view on the matter is that Alhamdullilah, the said Hajia returned home. Glory be to Almighty Allah for His wonders. Indeed Allah is the ALL KNOWING. May Allah grant the said Hajia long life and good health.
My personal expectation is that the interim Hajj Taskforce led by Alhaji Colins Dauda ought to issue official statement on the matters.
The official statement should address 3 key things thus,
1). Clarify the circumstances surrounding the announcement about the supposed death of the Hajia in question (ie there’s an alleged identity mix up. If true, how did that happen since two different individuals cannot bear the same PASSPORT DETAILS although there can be names similarities.
2). Provide sufficient assurances that this and many other avoidable lapses that occurred this year do not repeat again subsequently.
3). Render unqualified apology to the Hajia in question, her family, her loves and friends and the Muslim Ummah.
In the past 35 years and counting, there always been one problem or the other regarding the performance of Hajj by Muslim brothers and sisters. My direct uncle went to Hajj over 23 years ago and during that time there were issues too. This is not an attempt to rationalize anything but just to emphasize the point that there have been many issues coming up almost every year.
Proposed solution or intervention
I believe many of the issues can be avoided if there is a proper HAJJ MANAGEMENT body in place.
In view of the above, my personal proposition is that, to ensure a well-structured Hajj Management body in Ghana, I propose that the Muslim Community in Ghana should come together and put a proposal to Government of Ghana outlining how the Hajj activities should be managed. There MUST be a well-structured HAJJ MANAGEMENT BODY whose leadership should comprise representative of all the Muslim groups or communities in Ghana ie Al-Sunnah, Tijaniyya, Ahmadis, etc. Government should have a representative on the management body to provide facilitation support such as diplomatic assistance. In this case, the Embassy representative of the Ghana Mission in the KSA can be part of the Management Body representing government.
I strongly believe that if this is done, it will streamline the Hajj activities and operations and facilitate smooth to and fro journey to Makkah.
I also admit that the interim Hajj Taskforce may have been left with limited time to make proper arrangements after the change of government. I appreciate the difficult and tight time they had to organize the 2025 Hajj.
I cannot conclude without expressing my profound gratitude and appreciation to HE President John Mahama for his government assistance in reducing the cost of Hajj 2025 (fares) from Ghc75,000 to Ghc62,000, thus a reduction of Ghc13,000. This brought huge relief to many families among the Muslim community. We greatly appreciate that kind gesture. We are also grateful for his government’s support to expand the Tamale Airport during his first term in office to make pilgrims from northern Ghana and from neugbouring countries to fly from Tamale to Saudi Arabia directly.
May Allah bless Ghana 🇬🇭 and continue to show His Bountiful Grace upon our country and its people especially our leaders across board. Amen
Salam
Ing. Baba I. Musah, PhD
Concerned Muslim
[email protected]
