The 2025 edition of the annual pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia started in earnest today Saturday, May 10, with the first badge of pilgrims airlifted from the Yakubu Tali International Airport in Tamale to Mecca.
THE Custodian Online has gathered that about four hundred and seventeen (417) passengers were airlifted Saturday morning at about 11am from Tamale.
The Northern Regional Minister, Hon Ali Adolf, in a media interview commended President John Dramani Mahama for reducing the Hajj fares to support the Muslim community.
The Minister said the GHS75, 000 Hajj fare under the previous government was scaring prospective pilgrims from performing this very important sacred prayers.
Therefore, he indicated the decision taken by the Mahama administration to reduce the amount to GHS62,000 for Ghanaian Muslims seeking to embark on the trip was timely.
Ali Adolf argued that the prospective pilgrims will be able to save some monies for their upkeep while in Saudi Arabia.
The Regional Minister also used the opportunity to charge the pilgrims to be law abiding and cooperate with both Ghanaian and Saudi Arabian authorities throughout the period of their stay in Mecca.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Interior who doubles as the Minister for National Security represented President John Dramani Mahama to bid farewell to the pilgrims.
The Minister for Education, Hon Haruna Iddrisu, some Members of Parliament were among other government officials at the airport to bid farewell to the pilgrims.
