Accra, Aug. 25, GNA - The Interim Hajj Management Council (IHMC) on Monday declared that it was the sole body mandated by National Chief Imam and Mufti of Ghana to organize the 2008 Hajj.

Alhaji Limuna Mohammed-Muniru, Chairman, IHMC, said members of the newly constituted committee and some Hajj agents had therefore attended the 2008 Hajj conference organized by the Saudi authorities to sign various contracts to kick-start its preparatory activities. Speaking at a press conference to confirm their legitimacy as against that of the National Hajj Council, Alhaji Mohammed-Muniru said: "Recognizing the important role of government in the organization of Hajj in this country, the National Chief Imam has duly communicated our composition to the President of the Republic of Ghana." He said the meeting with the Saudi authorities agreed on a quota of about 3,000 prospective pilgrims who were expected to leave Ghana between November 15 and 23.

Prospective pilgrims are to pay a package of $3,100 made up of taxes ($120), commission on air tickets ($1,923), accommodation ($700), services and transportation ($283), medicare, Taskforce ($50) and administrative and bank charges ($20). The deadline for payment is October 25, 2008.

Alhaji Muniru said the IHMC had already met with the Saudi authorities and had agreed on the method of Hajj visa issuance to avoid problems while other sub-committees have also been put in place to handle specific tasks. He said tentative flight arrangements had also been made with Ethiopia, Emirates, Antrak and Egypt airlines to airlift pilgrims to avoid delays.

Phase one would be daily flight from November 15 to 23, while December 2 would be a scheduled flight before the closure of the Saudi airport to air traffic.

Alhaji Muniru said that phase two would commence from December 16 to 23, 2008 where all pilgrims would be flown home.