Bawumia Visits Ghanaian Pilgrims

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has visited the Hajj camp in Minna, Saudi Arabia and later met with the National Chief Imam Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu.

Mina also known as the tent city is a neighbourhood of Mecca and it is the place where the stoning of the devil takes place. Pilgrims are housed in air-conditioned tents here.

The Ghanaian pilgrims visibly shaken by the tragedy are still pondering over the whereabouts of five of their compatriots who have been declared missing.

Nobody knows yet whether the missing persons were victims of the fatality which struck during the stoning of the devil.

One of the last rituals, the stoning of Satan was characterized by carnage following the death of over seven hundred pilgrims and many injuries.

Dr. Bawumia, the running mate to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer Nana Akufo Addo assuaged the pain of the pilgrims with soothing words and also met with the membership of the Association of Pilgrims Agents with whom he exchanged pleasantries.

One of the pilgrims agents, Alhaji Garba, CEO of the Al Balad Travel and Tours Agency, one of the leading Hajj agencies with offices in both Accra and Kumasi told DAILY GUIDE in a telephone conversation from Saudi Arabia yesterday that “Dr. Bawumia’s visit, at a time when spirits were down as a result of the tragedy, was good for us. He interacted with us and that lifted our spirits. It is good to have important political figures like him to visit at such times.”

Regarding the five missing persons he said that “nothing has been heard about them yet. Nobody can say at this point whether they are dead or alive.”

It was Dr. Bawumia’s interaction with the Chief Imam both of them dressed in the prescribed white robe which attracted the biggest attention. After exchanging pleasantries the Islamic spiritual leader prayed for him and Ghana.

Wherever he went people wanted to pose with him for pictures which he readily obliged not before exchanging pleasantries.

Dr. Bawumia asked the Ghanaian pilgrims to take heart and give everything to God as it is he who gives and takes as he moved from one tent to the other.

He was well received by his compatriots as he expressed gratitude for the good reception accorded him. Dr. Bawumia urged them to pray for a safe return back home.

He also paid a courtesy call on the Chief Imam of the Ahlunsunna Wal Jamaa, Sheikh Umar Ibrahim and his entourage.

In a related development the Saudi authorities have been berated for their bad treatment of Africans who died during the stoning ritual by a cross section of African Moslems.