Fate of remaining pilgrims is bleak

Accra, Nov. 11, GNA - The fate of the remaining batch of about 500 Muslims waiting to undertake the pilgrimage to Mecca is bleak because of the failure to secure the necessary traveling documents.

With the closure of Jeddah airport on Wednesday, November 10, it is not likely they could embark on the journey.

An official of the National Hajj Committee, who spoke to Ghana News Agency on anonymity, said due to some unforeseen circumstances, the quota=

for 2,500 visas provided by the authorities of Saudi Arabia for the pilgrims, had been exhausted creating the back-log.

However, he said efforts were being made to secure visas for the remaining pilgrims, to enable them to perform the Hajj.

The official was optimistic that the remaining pilgrims would be flo= wn to Mecca by Friday evening, following on-going negotiations between the Saudi and Ghanaian authorities to facilitate entry of the pilgrims into Mecca.

Meanwhile, some of the pilgrims out of desperation are demanding a refund of their monies whilst others complained that they had run out of money. 11 Nov. 10