By Muhammed Faisel Mustapha
The Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C Quaye has cautioned Muslim pilgrims against taking banned substances to Saudi Arabia.
Speaking at the orientation organize by the Hajj Agents Association, the Chairman warned that such illegal acts would attract death penalty, adding that substance like kolanuts and prescription painkillers in large quantities had been banned in Saudi Arabia, and if found, would attract severe penalties per the regulations of Saudi Arabia.
He said despite repeated warnings and workshops for prospective pilgrims, it was disheartening that some pilgrims still breached the law as most of this prohibited items are ceased at the check point in Ghana.
He recalled that some Nigerians caught with hard drugs in the last few years were currently on death row in Saudi Arabia and plead with pilgrims to use it as a lesson and shun away from this shameful act.
According to him, the boards has made adequate arrangements to attend to the medical needs of all Ghanaian prospective pilgrims in Saudi Arabia adding that the board has a medical team under the leadership of Dr. Zakariah Sa’id to attend to the medical needs of every Ghanaian Pilgrim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The Chairman advised Ghanaian Prospective pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country by portraying Ghanaians in good image and pray for peace, unity and progress of the country in the holy land.
It will be recalled that the Saudi Arabian authorities had warn pilgrims not to bring prohibited drugs, foods and items to the country.
Meanwhile, the advance team of the Ghana Hajj Board had earlier took the lead to prepare the grounds for this year hajj operation.
However, the first flight to 2019 Hajj exercise will commence on Wednesday, July 24 with intending pilgrims from Tamale.
Over 6000 Ghanaians excluding the Hajj Board team and the some selected security Agencies are slated to perform 2019 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
