The Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board, Sheikh I.C Quaye has cautioned Muslim pilgrims against taking banned substances to Saudi Arabia. Speaking at the orientation organized by Hajj Agents Association, the Chairman warned that such illegal acts would attract the death penalty, adding that substance like kola nuts and prescription painkillers in large quantities had been banned in Saudi Arabia, and if found, would attract severe penalties per the regulations of Saudi Arabia.

He said despite repeated warnings and workshops for prospective pilgrims, it was disheartening that some pilgrims still breached the law as most of these prohibited items are ceased at the checkpoint in Ghana. He recalled that some Nigerians caught with hard drugs in the last few years were currently on death row in Saudi Arabia and plead with pilgrims to use it as a lesson and shun away from this shameful act.

According to him, the boards have made adequate arrangements to attend to the medical needs of all Ghanaian prospective pilgrims in Saudi Arabia adding that the board has a medical team under the leadership of Dr. Zakariah Sa’id to attend to the medical needs of every Ghanaian Pilgrim in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Chairman advised Ghanaian Prospective pilgrims to be good ambassadors of the country by portraying Ghanaians in good image and pray for peace, unity, and progress of the country in the holy land. It will be recalled that Saudi Arabian authorities had warned pilgrims not to bring prohibited drugs, foods and items to the country. Meanwhile, the advance team of the Ghana Hajj Board had earlier took the lead to prepare the grounds for this year’s hajj operation.  However, the first flight to 2019 Hajj exercise will depart on Wednesday, July 24 with intending pilgrims from Tamale. Over 6000 Ghanaians excluding the Hajj Board team and some selected security Agencies are slated to perform the 2019 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.

Source: WadataOnline.com/Muhammed Faisel Mustapha