Charge 1% of cost of Hajj into Zakat Fund – Mahama proposes to Muslims

President John Dramani Mahama, has proposed to the National Hajj Committee to consider charging one percent of the total charge on Hajj on every pilgrim with effect from this year and pay the proceeds into the Zakat Fund of Ghana.

According to him, the move when implemented will ensure that more scholarships from the Fund are given to sponsor several students to attain higher education to make them better equipped to realize their goals in life.

In a statement read on the President’s behalf by Alhaj Dr Abdul Rashid Pelpuo, the Minister of State in charge of Public Private Partnerships and MP for Wa Central, at a get-together for the Muslim faithful, at the State Banquet Hall in Accra President Mahama assured Muslims of government’s commitment to ensure a peaceful Hajj.

President Mahama praised Allah for His special grace on the nation for its peace, and commended Muslims for their peaceful co-existence with other faiths.

“Our cultural identity as peaceful and hospitable people is unique and we must jealously guard and protect that trademark as in our dealings with one another and in our dealings with other people as well, “he said.

President Mahama urged Ghanaians not to take the peace and unity being enjoyed by the citizens for granted, “as we must all remain vigilant and be ready to expose the bad nuts in our midst who may be willing to exchange the peaceful teachings of the Quran for coins or empty promises by unscrupulous politicians before, during and after the elections in November.”

The President said democracy must not be reduced to mere voting or election of representatives based on mere partisan considerations, but also to ensure that the people who are elected into office are those who would recognize, respect, tolerate and accept the diverse nature of the people.

The event, organised by the Muslim Caucus in Parliament, was on the theme: “Peace, Unity and Tolerance: the Roadmap to a Prosperous Nation.”