Radio Islam | 18 Dhul Qa’dah 1437/22 August 2016

Listen here ((( Hajj: The Global Build-Up )))

A Radio Islam International online and on-air feature that seeks to capture the global excitement and preparation for Hajj.

Hujaaj warned not to carry these nuts to Makkah

The Ghanaian Hajj Board has warned pilgrims embarking on this year’s Hajj pilgrimage not to carry kola nut or risk being arrested or even killed by Saudi Arabia authorities if caught.

This was after the Board received a circular from the Government of Saudi Arabia prohibiting pilgrims of carrying kola nut, locally referred to as “goro” in Hausa, into the Kingdom.

Deputy Communications Director of the Board, Mohammed Amin Lamptey told Joy News the Saudi government has warned to deal ruthlessly with any pilgrim who smuggles in kola nut among other prohibited items in accordance with the laws of the Kingdom.

“People are leaning on the kola nut to do so many things. In Ghana, some pilgrims have a way of concealing it in items like cooking oil, gari, yam, maize et al. to send to Saudi Arabia during Hajj,” he said.

He added that the Saudi authorities might have noticed this over the years thus the stern warning for pilgrims to desist from the act and heed to advice.

According to him, the Saudi authorities used to allow pilgrims to take along few of the nuts until people started abusing that opportunity.

“I think that the Saudi government has realized that there are people who use kola nut as a camouflage to do things that are untoward and questionable,” he said.

The Saudi authorities have implored on intending pilgrims to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations of items prohibitions in the Kingdom.

Mr Lamptey said the Board will do its best as always to continue sensitising and educating the pilgrims but warned that they will block every chance during their search.

The kola nut is the fruit of the kola tree, a genus (Cola) of trees that are native to the tropical rainforests of Africa. The caffeine-containing fruit of the tree is used as a flavoring ingredient in beverages, and is the origin of the term “cola”.

It is chewed in many West African cultures, individually or in a social setting, to restore vitality and ease hunger pangs.

Nigeria Hajj Dollar Rate Sparks Criticism

A move by the Nigerian government to offer a concessionary dollar exchange rate for haj pilgrims has caused controversy in the country. Critics say the government’s priority should be to boost the country’s contracting economy.

A slump in oil revenues has hammered Nigeria’s public finances and the local currency. Last week the naira hit an all-time low of just under 351 to the dollar – on the black market the rate is 400. So a decision to give Muslims going to Mecca for the haj a preferential rate of 197 has split opinion.

“It’s very very good, we like it, Muslim we enjoy it. Is very good,” says Sheikh Ahmed, Deputy Imam of the Central Mosque. The government offered the preferential rate months before the currency was devalued. Even with it – it’s thought fewer Nigerians will make the annual pilgrimage.

“Compared to last year I think because of the dollar exchange rate and all of that, I think the ability of people to go willingly from their own personal resources will be impacted negatively, so you potentially might see a reduction,” Ayo Salami, a mosque committee member said.

The amount of cash haj travellers can exchange has been reduced. But with the country in the midst of an economic crisis many don’t think the concession is appropriate.

“If their commitment was made in March, that was only available in the first quarter of this year. You cannot use a pricing policy of the first quarter and apply it in the third quarter of the year,” says Bismark Rewane, an economist. There’s one sector that hopes that isn’t the case. Travel agents say bookings to Mecca have fallen – even with the preferential rate.

Nigeria makes similar currency subsidies available to Christian religious travellers.

(Reuters)

Pregnant women removed from Hajj flights

The Nasarawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board said it stopped nine pregnant women from performing this year’s hajj to Saudi Arabia.

The leader of the board’s medical team, Usman Saleh, made the disclosure while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lafia.

“After thorough medical examination, we discovered that nine women, who, though, have fully paid their hajj fare, are pregnant.

“We had to drop them from the list since they cannot perform this year’s pilgrimage as it is against Saudi Arabia’s law”.

He said screening of the pregnant women was also in consonance with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria’s directives.

It has also been reported that no fewer than 14 pregnant women have been barred from performing this year’s hajj by the Zamfara State Hajj Commission.

Mr. Saleh said the board would conduct final screening before the transportation of the intending pilgrims to ensure compliance with prescribed medical requirement by the Saudi authority.

10 lucky customers win Hajj tickets from Gambian mobile operator

Ten Gamcel customers, who won Hajj tickets to perform the fifth pillar of Islam in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, were each presented their tickets and US$1000 pocket money.

The ceremony, which was held at the Gamcel head office in Kanifing, is part of the GSM service provider’s corporate social responsibility. Since the initiative began, hundreds of Gambians have benefited from the package.

Sarjo Khan the Director of Customer Services Gamcel, said the national cellular company belongs to Gambians, therefore, whatever profit they make is shared with them.

He noted that since the inception of Gamcel, Gambians from different walks of life benefited and continue to benefit from the national GSM Company. “We do not limit ourselves to only Hajj tickets; over the years, we gave out scholarships, contributed to health sector, agriculture, Ramadan sugar, Tobaski rams, so virtually we are in all areas.”

Khan disclosed that Gamcel did not only present hajj tickets and US$1000 to each participant but has also delegated a Gamcel staff to accompany the winners to perform Hajj. “Our role is not only to generate revenue but also to give back to those who keep us in the market.”

Ndey Sainabou Jeng, Gamcel’s promoter said the cellular giant began the promotion almost a decade ago and has since sent hundreds of Gambians to perform pilgrimages in Mecca, Rome and Jerusalem. “Giving back, caring and sharing is part of Gamcel’s culture that is why we will not relent and we will continue to give back to Gambians,” she affirmed.

Fatwa issued against Kenya for constructing Kaaba replica

A senior mufti of Dargah-e-Alahazrat issued a fatwa against the East African country Kenya for constructing a replica of Kaaba, a day after issuing fatwa against the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack.

The fatwa claims the people who constructed the structure and the place where it was constructed were “un-Islamic”.

“It is against Islam to offer prayer at such a place and those who do so are not Muslims,” said the fatwa issued by Mufti Salim Noori.

The Kaaba is a building at the centre of Islam’s most sacred mosque, Al-Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

The fatwa was issued after a video showing people thronging the Kaaba-like structure was circulated on social media. “I received many phone calls and messages from people inquiring about the validity of the structure. I personally watched the pictures and video before issuing the fatwa,” said Noori.

“Ka’ba is not a structure. It is a unique place, which is revered by Muslims all across the globe, and it cannot be changed. The construction of a similar structure is against Islam,” he added.

The mufti said the structure could only be justified if it was being used to train people for the Haj pilgrimage. “It is still not clear whether the structure is being used for training or for misleading innocent Muslims. It can be accepted as a model for training but in no case as an alternate to the holy Kaaba,” he said.

The fatwa has asked Muslims to boycott such structures.

(Hindustan Times)

Ghana Hajj statistics

Ghana is expected to fly some 5424 pilgrims with 11 flights in total starting in Tamale from the August 19-21. All other beginning their journeys from Accra will be flown from August 23-30.