The Spokesperson of the Progressive Democrats (PD) of Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly (Kasoa), Mr. K. K. Hammond, has called on the nation to desist from politicizing the Hajj Pilgrimage.
The Spokesperson asserted that Ghanaian pilgrims started visiting the Holy City of Mecca long before independence and also very long before the formation of any political party in Ghana, stressing that ?we would like to call on all politicians, individuals, pastors, the Media among others to desist from politicizing Hajj pilgrimage?.
He indicated that Hajj Pilgrimage all over the world including Ghana ?comes with a transport fare, but because of mismanagement of funds and mishandling of Hajj Pilgrims by fellow Muslims, government has to step in and assist by forming Hajj Committee to ensure that Ghanaian Pilgrims travel to the Holy City of Mecca without much stress and discomfort.?
Mr. Hammond admitted that ?government at times sponsors some pilgrims who have no means to travel to Mecca to perform the Hajj rites, but most of the sponsorship of Government to the deprived Muslims comes from Arab Nations around the world.?
The spokesman hinted that the reason the Hajj should not be politicized is that ?whilst in the Holy City of Mecca, Ghanaian Pilgrims pray for the whole Nation, Government of the day and not only for themselves.?
He stressed that ?whether you belong to Party A, B, C, or D, pilgrims pray for everybody, so politicizing it cannot be acceptable?.
He advocated that as peace loving Ghanaians the nation must be circumspect and cautious of their utterances and agitations in order not to cause any conflicts by politicizing pilgrimage.
The spokesperson cited ?Boko Haram in Nigeria and AL Qaeda in Mali as examples that should guide Ghanaians to desist from politicizing everything to avoid the negative consequences.?
He noted that ?government?s intention to facilitate a proposed trip of selected pastors to travel to Israel to pray for the nation should not be compared or equated to Hajj Pilgrimage because the two are different all together.?
?Over politicization and constant distraction of government programmes will not bring problems to only the government but also to the entire nation,? he stressed.
Mr. Hammond further appealed to Ghanaians who are noted for their peaceful disposition to pray for peace, stability transparency from government and development.
STORY: BERNARD QUANSON
