Thirty-nine hajj pilgrims from Ghana, all of them women, have been repatriated from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
“The Pilgrims Affairs Office, Ghana (PAOG), regret to announce the repatriation of some 39 female pilgrims from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” a statement announced.
They include nine minors and 30 others who were “without guardians because they are less than 40 years.”
It is mandatory for women under 40 to have a male chaperon, mostly a relative, in the Saudi Arabia. Despite their repatriation, the Ghanaian hajj office said: “Insha Allah, it is our hope that when it is done, the affected pilgrims will return to continue their pilgrimage.”
Meanwhile, a woman believed to be in her forties on Sunday August 28 fell and died at the Hajj Village in Accra.
Rukaya Isu, who was at the village to see off a relative making the trip to Mecca for this year’s hajj, collapsed in the bathroom but all efforts made to resuscitate her failed.
An eyewitness and journalist at Marhaba FM, Hamza Adams, who confirmed the news to ClassFMonline.com, said after waiting for over 30 minutes for the ambulance service, Isu was conveyed to the 37 Military Hospital where she was confirmed dead.
The body has been transferred to Kumasi where she came from for burial in line with Islamic custom.
Over 5,000 Ghanaian Muslims are expected to be flown to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this year’s pilgrimage.
Source: Ghana/AccraFM.com
