{"id":48441,"date":"2014-09-17T08:43:39","date_gmt":"2014-09-17T08:43:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/4cd.e16.myftpupload.com\/?p=48441"},"modified":"2014-09-17T10:07:02","modified_gmt":"2014-09-17T10:07:02","slug":"hajj-pilgrims-begin-journey-to-mecca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2014\/09\/hajj-pilgrims-begin-journey-to-mecca\/","title":{"rendered":"Hajj pilgrims begin journey to Mecca"},"content":{"rendered":"

The first batch of 450 Hajj pilgrims has been airlifted from Accra to Mecca in Saudi Arabia for their annual pilgrimage.<\/p>\n

A total of about 5,500 Muslims from Ghana will participate in this year\u2019s Hajj pilgrimage and will leave Accra in batches of 450 up until September 27.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the pilgrims gathered at the Hajj village in Accra on Tuesday, the Vice President, Kwesi Amissah-Arthur expressed satisfaction at the organization of the 2014 pilgrimage.<\/p>\n

[contextly_sidebar id=”eiyT8i0e6nYE7Rb947S2YMvmym7Sd6EA”]He expressed his appreciation to the Saudi Arabian Embassy for the issuance of visas and putting measures in place to smoothen the journey for persons going on the pilgrimage.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, some pilgrims embarking the holy pilgrimage to Mecca have also lauded the organization of this year\u2019s trip adding which has eliminated the numerous challenges they have been encountering of the years.<\/p>\n

A pilgrim recounted to Citi News<\/strong> that in 2013, he faced some challenges before leaving the shores of Ghana to Mecca \u201cbut this year is superb and we thank Allah.\u201d<\/p>\n

He was hopeful that in 2015 \u201cwill be better than this year.”<\/p>\n

Another also testified that \u201cthis year, there has been no problem. Everything is going on smoothly. Our passport and every other arrangement were done on time. Last year, there were some outstanding matters but this year, nothing has happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

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By: Efua Idan Osam\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana
\nFollow @osamidan<\/a>
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