story by: heritage news online/wakpenjo/2024
Score of Ghanaian Muslim pilgrims who airlifted with the national hajj board, reign unguarded curses, as a result of poor service rendered during the 2024 hajj procession at the holy land of mecca.
Alhaji Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, the western regional Zango youth chief, has described services rendered by Hajj board to pilgrims who journeyed under their services, as abysmal and betrayal of stewardship.
According to him, upon gathering information on services of hajj board prior to his journey, he chose other option to pilgrimage with his family. And upon reaching there, concerns raised by scores of pilgrims from hajj board passengers, confirmed his fears and various allegations prior to the 2024 hajj preparations.
He said, despite exorbitant charges of 75000 cedi, pilgrims were denied comfort in terms of accommodation and other services that could make their stay in the holy land a complete memorable one.
Alhaji Rufai alleged that, in a room that should be managed by three to four people, Ghana Hajj board squeezed 6 to 8 people in such a terrifying condition. He further asserted that, comparing other sub regions with Ghana in terms of the fare charges, the Ghana hajj board has charged way beyond what other sub regions charged their people. yet, conditions of other African countries in Mecca, was far better than what out Ghanaian pilgrims endured in this year’s pilgrimage.
“Is Embarrassing the Accommodation that is supposed to house 3 to 4 people is being giving to house 6 to 8 people by the hajj board after such an outrageous fare taking from them” he stated
he added that, the distance of the accommodation to the place of the procession (Haram) is about 20-30 minutes drive under an intense weather temperature in the saudi Arabia. situation, he described as wickedness.
He also debunked claims that, fare charged by hajj board is relatively lower compared to other African countries.
“Is a lie, is a lie, i am fortunate to have some friends from mali, Gambia and other African countries and i asked them to compare their charges with that of the Ghanaians and what Ghana has charged is much bigger than the rest of the countries” he added.
He said, compared to Ghana hajj board, other African countries give their individual agents the license to process their pilgrims and airlift them to mecca in a separate service, but uniform charge and conform regulated service by their national hajj board.
” especially the Senegalese i love how they handled their pilgrims, with a thing of beauty. their hotel is like a three minutes walk from the masjid. And they were all next to each other. And these are all different agents. it was different agent but they managed to get their hotels next to each other, and within like three minutes walk from the masjid. they go to the mosque together, pray together and come back to the hotel together. so you won’t see any of them missing” he asserted.
He said, ” Greed and selfishness is the reason for the exorbitant charge by the hajj board and their relative agents. because they just want to make lot of money for themselves. that is the only think i can think about. because, i can’t think about any other thing that will make them do such a thing”
H e said the monopoly Hajj board is enjoying is the reason why they are doing that. compared to other countries, different agents are available to give similar service so prospective pilgrims have variety to choose from without any intimidation.
“other countries, because of non existence of monopoly, there are treated very well”
Alhaj Rufai also stated that, because of profit seeking hajj board, pilgrims are made to remain three week in mecca to the extent of exhausting their monies and selling their personal belonging before departure. while other pilgrims had long returned to their respective countries.
” they wait two to three weeks after hajj for flight to become cheaper before they hire. whereas all other African countries have sent their people home. i went on my own on the 19th hajj was done and i was home with my family. And after two weeks before Ghanaian pilgrims started coming. Me and my family that went on our own, we came very early”
adding that “this people stay in mecca for three weeks after hajj is done, they spend all their money. some of them have to sell their belongings just to by food. Just because hajj board want to make more profit by chattering much much more cheaper flight even though they collected this huge sum of money”
He described the Islamic spiritual journey as beautiful. however, he admonished future Ghanaians pilgrims to refuse the services of hajj board if nothing changes in their operations and services to Ghanaian Muslims.
He also admonished people occupying high positions in the country to fear God in discharging their stewardship to the people.
” Is a beautiful journey, Amazing spiritual journey. And is something you have to be there to witness how it feels. And what i will say to them is, if the current situation doesn’t change. if what i saw from hajj board remains the same next year, Don’t use hajj board. then you are going to put yourself in a situation you will regret. Use other Avenue but do not use Hajj board”.