The National Hajj Council (NHC) has threatened to take legal action against the Interim Hajj Management Committee (IHMC) constituted by the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharabutu, if it failed to compromise with the NHC. Even though two attempts have been made by the Chief of Staff and Minister of Presidential Affair, Kwadwo Mpiani, to reconcile the two factions for a successful Hajj, the IHMC is being accused of not cooperating. The Chairman of the NHC, Alhaji Mohammed Frimpong, told Myjoyonline; “It is all about procedures; if they are not willing to agree with us to organize the 2008 pilgrimage, we will make sure we take legal action against the members.” He said the NHC is only interested in organizing a transparent pilgrimage devoid of bottlenecks that have for the past two years characterized Hajj organization in Ghana under the management of the IHMC. “For once the NHC wants to put its feet down,” Alhaji Frimpong stressed. He said the IHC and the IHMC are failing to reach an agreement due to the activities of two “faceless and self-seeker individuals” who are manipulating the rest. Earlier at a press conference by the Hajj Council, it informed prospective pilgrims about arrangement being put together by the Council and also asked pilgrims to ignore the widely publicized adverts by the IHMC. Alhaji Salifu Seidu, Executive Secretary of NHC, said the IHMC’s action amounts to conducting the affairs of the Muslim community outside institutional framework and best practices. He said the Council started preparation for this year’s Hajj since March and has so far entered all necessary arrangements to meet the payment requirement with Saudi Hajj Ministry’s accredited agencies. He said arrangement has also been signed with Antrak Air to convey pilgrims to Jedda. Alhaji Seidu accused the IHMC for clandestinely using the NHC account name of both Agricultural Development Bank and Ecobank without the knowledge of NHC. He said the IHMC owes ELYAS Company of Madina (KSA) for hotel accommodation for 2007 Hajj to the tune of US$55,040; and has also misappropriated US$1,674,400 representing monies for failed pilgrims. Story by Isaac Essel & Naa-Adei Doku