Muslim Women Associations Ghana has described the award-winning Hajj Board Chairman, Sheikh I.C Quaye as one of the best the country has ever produced in the history of Hajj operations in Ghana.
The Association commended the government and the Hajj Board for their contributions towards successful Hajj Ghanaian pilgrims have witnessed in the past few years as well as make this year’s fare cheaper and reasonable as compared to other Africa countries.
They said they are comfortable with the preparations by the Hajj Board, the Ghana Hajj Agents Association and the would-be pilgrims in ensuring a stress-free hajj this year.
The Muslim women Associations Ghana includes Zongos Women club, Northern Ladies wings Muslim Ladies group and Voice of Muslim ladies.
The Association stated that Sheikh I.C Quaye inherited a gargantuan debt with about 500 leftover pilgrims from the previous hajj board which he was able to clear.
The debt, according to the Association compelled the Ministry of Hajj in Saudi Arabia to blacklist Ghana in performing hajj due to the huge amount of debt left behind by the previous administration but due to the intervention by Sheikh I.C Quaye and the government, the debt was settled.
The Association further stated that despite the huge increments by the Saudi Arabia Authorities in charge of hajj affairs, Sheikh I.C Quaye and the government of Ghana were able to arrive at 19,500 Ghana Cedis, which to them is reasonable.
They said due to a research conducted by the Ghana Hajj Research over the price the Association reiterated that Ghanaian pilgrims would be paying cheaper considering what others will pay in other countries.
They revealed that upon their research the amount should have been much higher than 19,500 Ghana Cedis adding that the Hajj board has been much considerate to Ghanaian Muslims.
According to the Association, the current hajj board has encountered many challenges intense of taxations and new policies which led to the increments of this year’s hajj adding that transportation fare was increased by over 200%, accommodation, increased fare in Mina and Arafat fees as well as the introduction of VAT on all services.
This the Muslim Women Association Ghana called on all well-meaning Muslim and would-be pilgrims to accept the fare and continue paying to ensure a very successful hajj pilgrimage this year.
They added that some group of individuals are distracting the board for their selfish and parochial interest just to flop and make this year’s hajj unsuccessful to gain political goals which according to the group will never live to see the light of day.
By: Muhammed Faisel Mustapha/awakenewsonline.com