The last batch of over 500 Ghanaian pilgrims arrived from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Friday night via a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. The pilgrims, who arrived at about 8pm, spent close to six hours before clearing their hand luggage at the airport. Two pilgrims did not make the trip back home because they have been admitted to the King Abdul Aziz Hospital in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. One of the patients is suffering from an acute kidney problem, and the other was operated upon over an unknown ailment. Relations of one of the patients had to be contacted to find out whether they would want him brought down to Ghana. After asking to be given time to think over it, they finally agreed that the patient be kept until he recovers.
The chairman of the Interim Hajj Management Council (IHMC), Ustaz Seidu Ahmad; and Hajj Operations director, Nasiru did not come with the last batch because of unfinished business. The council is being asked to pay money to landlords because their houses took in more Ghanaians than had been agreed upon.
Ghanaian illegal immigrants and nationals of neighbouring countries wielding Ghanaian travel documents swarmed the acquired residences, augmenting the numbers. With the last batch of Ghanaians now in, the chapter on the controversial Hajj 2007 has come to an end. Pilgrims whose luggage has not yet arrived have pitched camp at the airport to take delivery. Hailers are being used to call names of those whose luggage had arrived.
Source: PFM
