Thousands of Ghanaian pilgrims attending the 2025 Hajj in Mecca are struggling with poor living conditions, sparking frustration and disappointment among travelers. Sheikh Hashim Ibn, a renowned Islamic cleric from Tamale, Ghana, has voiced his concerns, revealing that the accommodations provided for pilgrims are far below expectations.
Overcrowding and Unbearable Conditions
Pilgrims have complained about overcrowded rooms, lack of air conditioning, and inadequate facilities, leaving many frustrated and uncomfortable. According to Sheikh Hashim Ibn, who is experiencing the conditions firsthand, he paid GHC 62,000 for the pilgrimage only to find himself crammed in a single room with four other pilgrims, without air conditioning, in a city where temperatures often exceed 45 degrees Celsius.
“The hotel has three very old lifts that can take only five people at a time, serving a 10-story building with hundreds of pilgrims. The rooms have only a fan that can wake the dead,” he lamented.
Pilgrims Demand Accountability
Many travelers are now demanding answers from the Hajj task force, which replaced the Hajj Board and was expected to improve Ghana’s Hajj experience. The task force had promised a high-quality pilgrimage, but with nearly 5,000 Ghanaian pilgrims now in Mecca, frustrations are mounting.
Some pilgrims have urged those yet to depart to brace for disappointment, citing substandard accommodations far from the Holy Mosque and poor service delivery.
Authorities Yet to Respond
Despite the growing complaints, officials responsible for organizing the pilgrimage have not issued a formal response. However, calls for intervention are growing as pilgrims face three to four weeks of difficult conditions.
Sheikh Hashim Ibn, in a message to Ghanaians, urged authorities to fix the issue without politicizing it, stating, “Pilgrims are not fine this Hajj. Please don’t make this post a political one. I don’t have anything to do with politics!”
As the situation unfolds, many are hoping for swift action to ensure Ghanaian pilgrims receive the comfortable and dignified experience they were promised.
Baina Multimedia
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