Accra, Nov. 3, GNA - Government's promise to organise a hassle-free pilgrimage to Mecca this year took off in a grand style when Vice President John Dramani Mahama inaugurated a make-shift air-conditioned Hajj village in fulfilment of that pledge.
The air-conditioned tents, with the capacity to accommodate 400 pilgrims at a time, have sanitary facilities, a clinic and a dining hall to end the cycles of botched Hajj organisations in recent times.
Inaugurating the facility at the El-Wak Stadium in Accra on Tuesday, Vice President Mahama expressed delight at implementing President John Evans Atta Mills dream on assumption of office.
He pointed out that government had been unhappy with a litany of poorly organised Hajj services in recent times and President Mills after assumption of office decided to pay attention to the welfare of Muslims and make organisation of the Hajj a cornerstone of that policy.
Vice President Mahama said it was in this regard that arrangements for the pilgrimage were made taking cognisance of the past and expressed delight about what had been achieved so far.
He said the arrangements being instituted were to give respect and dignity to the prospective pilgrims travelling to Saudi Arabia from the middle of this month in fulfilment of Islamic teachings.
Vice President Mahama asked the Muslim community to continue to show unity, tolerance and effectively partner government to resolve problems facing the Zongo communities.
He commended the management of Zoomlion, a waste management firm, and Creator Digital Ghana limited, which designed the tents for their role in realising President Mills dream.
Mr Baba Jamal, Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, said the Hajj village was part of the change package President Mills promised Muslims and asked them to continue to show an abiding faith in the government.
Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, National Chief Imam, prayed for more spiritual guidance for the government to enable it fulfil its mandate to the people.
GNA
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