The first batch of 5,428 Ghanaians who embarked on the spiritual journey of pilgrimage to Mecca, this year, returned home Monday evening.
The 256 pilgrims, led by the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osuman Nuhu Sharubutu, touched down at 6pm in a Malaysian aircraft, Boeing 747.
The obviously excited pilgrims were happy and relieved to back home. Excited family members mobbed their relatives who returned from the once in a life-time journey for many.
The remaining batches will arrive daily till they all return home by the end of this month.
Addressing journalists at airport, the Chief Imam thanked Allah for guiding the pilgrims throughout the period.
He said fervent prayers were said to avert the spread of the deadly Ebola virus, which has killed more than four 4,000 across West Africa, to Ghana.
Sheikh Nuhu Sharubutu also prayed for the souls of the three Ghanaian pilgrims who died in Mecca as well as for the lives of three babies who were born in the Holy city of Mecca.
The aged pilgrims proved a major headache for organizers of the Hajj but the Hajj Secretariat has promised to intensify its effort to discourage very old people from embarking on the rather tedious journey.
Latest Stories
-
Over 5,000 delegates expected at NPP National Conference
2 hours -
NDPC Chairman calls for local economic development at UN HLPF
2 hours -
US tech CEO suspended after Coldplay concert embrace goes viral
4 hours -
Self-acclaimed Ashanti Regional Chairman of Delta Force arrested
4 hours -
Police nab three in Ashanti region for distributing fake insecticides from Nigeria
5 hours -
Detailed constitutional proposals for NPP Delegates Conference today
5 hours -
NPP holds National Delegates Conference Today
5 hours -
Asantehene calls for ‘Ghanaians first’ in mining concessions
9 hours -
See the 14 crucial NPP reforms proposed by the Council of Elders
9 hours -
59 proposals: Why the NPP is overhauling its constitution
9 hours -
Scrap ‘elitist’ Special Electoral College – Sir Obama tells NPP
9 hours -
Gov’t ramps up election security ahead of Akwatia by-election
10 hours -
Erpreben Travel & Tour donates air conditioners to Osu District Police Command
11 hours -
Amewuga campaign fights human trafficking, child marriage, others at Aflao border
11 hours -
WAFCON 2024: Rampant Nigeria smash five past Zambia to reach semis
11 hours