Hajj 2021: Uncertainty over participation of Ghanaian pilgrims

The Ghana Hajj Board and the Ghana Hajj Agents Association have committed to refunding all monies paid by pilgrims last year to perform the Hajj (an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca) in the event that Saudi Arabia bars foreigners from performing the pilgrimage in 2021.

In a communique dated May 22, 2021, and jointly signed by the Chairman of the Hajj Board, Sheikh Ibrahim Cudjoe Quaye and the Chairman of the Hajj Agents Association, Alhaji Issah Umar Suleiman, the two bodies which oversee the organization of the Hajj in Ghana said the monies will be returned after a request for refund.

"Both parties have collectively resolved that in case there is no Hajj (due to the delay in the Saudi Governments timeous announcement of the performance of Hajj 2021); it is our considered view, that Ghanaian pilgrims will be disadvantaged from participating in this year's Hajj," the communique reads.

"The Hajj Board will ensure, in the event that there is no Hajj this year, to refund all monies paid by pilgrims in full - for those who request for a refund of their monies".

Last year, only 10,000 Muslim residents of Saudi Arabia itself were allowed to take part in the Hajj, a far cry from the 2.5 million Muslims from around the world who participated in 2019.

The restrictions which were as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic affected about 2,500 prospective pilgrims from Ghana who had paid about GH¢50 million to the board as fare for last year’s Hajj.

Read the full statement below:

JOINT COMMUNIQUE: HAJJ BOARD, GHANA & GHANA HAJJ AGENTS ASSOCIATION PARTICIPATION OF GHANIAN PILGRIMS IN HAJJ 2021 MAY 22, 2021

At a meeting held at the Hajj Village, Accra, on May 22, 2021, the Hajj Board, Ghana and the Ghana Hajj Agents Association, have discussed the issues pertaining to this year's Hajj and have agreed upon the following communiqué.

Given the new visa requirements from Saudi Arabia, which prescribes the COVID-19 vaccine, as a pre-requisite for obtaining a visa to travel to Mecca, both parties agreed the following:

• The overwhelming majority of Ghanaian pilgrims who have paid (since 2020), to perform Hajj, have not had their first corona —virus vaccine jab.

• Given that all visitors to Saudi Arabia, need to have received BOTH inoculations of the Corona-virus — 19 vaccine, and given that there must be a 8-week gap between inoculations, the time constraints clearly make it difficult for Ghanaian pilgrims to comply with the directives from Saudi Arabia.

• Both parties have collectively resolved that, in case there is no Hajj (due to the delay in the Saudi Governments timeous announcement of the performance of Hajj 2021); it is our considered view, that Ghanaian pilgrims will be disadvantaged from participating in this year's Hajj,

• The Hajj Board will ensure, in the event that there is no Hajj this year, to refund all monies paid by pilgrims in full — for those who request for a refund of their monies.

• Meanwhile, the Hajj Board shall continue to monitor communications from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, Saudi Arabia, and update the ummah accordingly.

END

Signed: Sheikh I.C. Quaye Chairman, Ghana Hajj Board

Signed Alhaji Issah Umar Suleiman Chairman, Ghana Hajj Agents Association