THE POLITICS OF HAJJ – NPP HAS A BETTER RECORD THAN THE NDC

 

THE POLITICS OF HAJJ – NPP HAS A BETTER RECORD THAN THE NDC 

IDDI MUHAYU-DEEN’S FOLDER 

I have observed, rather regrettably, that contrary to media reportage, the NDC, rather than the NPP, has a disappointing track record regarding the organization of the hajj pilgrimage. I am quick to admit that it is true the hajj village in Accra witnessed some renovation works in 2009 under this government, but it is also true that there has since not been any further works or improvement of the facilities at the hajj village. 

It is not surprising that, among other reasons, the organization of the 2016 hajj pilgrimage has been arguably, the worst in the history of this country. I have keenly followed the disappointing turn of events regarding the organization of hajj under this government, particularly, this year and wish to communicate my misgivings, a lot of which has been corroborated by the “disappointed prospective hajj pilgrims” in media circus. 

For instance, in a statement they issued on Thursday, September 1, communicating their humongous disappointment, frustrations and anger, they accused the organizers of this year’s hajj of deceit and inhumane treatment being meted out to them at the hajj village in Accra. "We have been left stranded and wandering about hopelessly at the Hajj village under very deplorable condition. 

Some of those from outside Accra are the most affected because for more than a week, they have been forced to sleep in the open under mosquito-infested canopies at the village with a fading hope of catching a flight," the stranded Hajj pilgrims stated in their statement, which was signed by Shehu Alwala Abdi and Mohammed R. Abdul-Rahman, Convenor and spokesperson for the stranded Muslims respectively.

The above quote from the horses’ own mouths, sums up at the frustrations and difficulties that have characterized the organization of hajj under the government of President John Mahama, which has ironically sought to play politics and arrogate to itself, some political capital for what they say, has been “smooth organization of hajj” since they came to power. 

The stranded Muslims have, in another development, accused the government of deliberately flying business men and women, foreigners as well as party supporters under a so called protocol arrangement to Mecca at their expense. This allegation has been confirmed when some of these people, numbering 39, who flew earlier were repatriated by the Saudi Authorities because, among other reasons, they had traveled with some huge bags containing items meant for trade rather than religious commitments.

Again, the spokesperson of the hajj board has himself, confirmed that some of the returnees are non-Ghanaians. So I ask, why were they flown from this country if indeed they are foreigners, knowing very well that, Ghana, just like any other country, has been given a limited quota by the Saudi Authority? And why must that be done at the expense of our own citizens who have duly qualified as prospective paid-up pilgrims? Would these stranded paid-up Muslims from Ghana ever have the opportunity to embark on this all important pilgrimage again? 

The “disappointed pilgrims” have also questioned the basis for scheduling only eleven flights when the Hajj authorities knew the exact number of paid-up members involved and that, the eleven flights would not be able to contain all of them? “Or is it the case where slots for stranded, paid up pilgrims have been given to so-called protocol list from government as is being widely claimed?", they asked. According to them, they do not care whether the government sends functionaries to Hajj for free or not, but "our business is that we have fully paid, we have the right to travel and we demand that we should be airlifted to Saudi Arabia as soon as possible." 

"It is very despicable how the aged have been left to sleep in the open, when we have toiled to pay our money well in advance in our quest to go and serve Almighty Allah," the release intimated. There were also media reports confirming that at least some people had lost their lives at the Hajj Village this year. That is how bad the situation has become despite the propaganda that is being churned out to the Ghanaian people about the so called excellent performance of the NDC government regarding the organization of hajj. The NDC forgets that propaganda does not fly in the face of stack reality and that is what we are seeing today.

In a sharp contrast to this, the erstwhile NPP government did a lot for the Muslim constituency regarding the hajj pilgrimage but has never and would never seek to play politics with same unlike the NDC. As a matter of fact, it was the NPP that setup the National Hajj Board/Authority to be run by the leadership of the “Muslim Ummah” and insulated the Board from direct governmental control. This move was essentially to allow Muslims to handle their own affairs regarding hajj. 

Again, it would be recalled that sometime in 2007, when the Jiddah Airport in Saudi Arabia was OFFICIALLY CLOSED to all pilgrims, which meant that some prospective pilgrims from Ghana were going to miss this life-time opportunity, President Kufour had to promptly intervene by travelling all the way to Saudi Arabia to negotiate with the Saudi authorities on behalf of the stranded Ghanaians for a possible extension. He was successful in this pursuit to the admiration of all. Certainly, this was a commendable feat in honour of the Islamic faith. 

However, when the NDC government in 2010, 2011 and 2013, was confronted with similar circumstances, they could not do anything to help the stranded prospective pilgrims resulting in their forfeiture of this mandatory pilgrimage. So I ask, which of these political parties has shown much commitment to the “Muslim Ummah” in respect of the organization of hajj. 

In 2016 for instance, our so called compassionate President, H.E John Mahama could not extend his “montie 3 compassion” to some hundreds of stranded pilgrims through executive intervention, as John Kufour did in 2007. In view of President Mahama’s loud inaction under the circumstances, over 340 prospective pilgrims could not be airlifted to Mecca this year even though, they had paid the required amount well in advance and have also met all the other relevant requirements. How unfortunate!

What is even more shocking is the fact that President John Mahama did not even find the need to pay a visit to the prospective pilgrims who were stranded at the hajj village here in Accra but he was quick to travel all the way to the Tamale Airport to address the pilgrims before the first flight took off to Mecca.

Apparently, he did that for political capital ahead of the general elections because in his address, he categorically stated that the decision to fly pilgrims, from the northern part of the country and elsewhere, directly from Tamale to Mecca was UNPRECEDENTED in the country’s history and a testament of his government’s commitment to the “Muslim Constituency” as far as the organization of hajj is concerned. This claim has however proven to be a big lie because this particular arrangement had existed even during the Acheampong regime until same was CANCELLED by the PNDC government, which is an antecedent of the NDC.  Records they say, speak for themselves. 

Assalamu alaikum

This piece was compiled by a concerned Ghanaian in the business of OCCUPYING HEARTS and MINDS for the love of God and country.

IDDI MUHAYU-DEEN

A Concerned Muslim

Crusader for CHANGE

(0245335197)

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