The first batch of Ghanaian pilgrims are expected to arrive in Tamale on Wednesday after successfully completing their Hajj rituals in Saudi Arabia.
433 Ghanaian pilgrims will depart Jeddah International Airport for Tamale on Wednesday
afternoon, officials have said.
Pilgrims have begun their journey back home days after partaking in the annual Muslim religious pilgrimage
Six other flights, three each in Tamale and Accra, will subsequently airlift pilgrims back home, all within five days, the information adds.
All pilgrims are entitled to weighing two bags 23Kg each with a hand luggage of 10Kg. Each pilgrim paid 30 Saudi Riyals as handling charges.
All bags will be scanned at a special holding area to check for contraband goods and other ban substances including Zamzam water before loading them into the aircraft.
According Director operations of pilgrims affairs of Ghana and a member of the Sheikh I. C. Quaye lead board, Hajj Sumaila Ibrahim “all suspected luggage will be reopened for rechecking:,
“It’s prohibited for any pilgrim carry Zamzam water in his luggage or with him into the flight and all suspected luggage will be reopened for rechecking,” he said.
“All contraband goods will be confiscated and owners punished severely”. It may lead to loss of valuables or lost of luggage.”
The Hajj is a once-in-a-lifetime duty for all Muslims physically and financially able to make the journey.
Saudi Arabia is this year allowed one million Muslims, including some 850,000 from abroad, to make the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
According to Ghanaian officials, weighing and checking at the Jeddah Airport was stopped briefly by officials from flyNas due to few skirmishes over revised weights of 20Kg each for
luggage and 7.0Kg below the international standard.
But cool heads finally prevailed for the exercise to continue. Departure from Jeddah will be at 11:30 and Arrival in Tamale will be 14:10 Local time.
