Kumasi, Oct. 22, GNA - Mr Abbas Ali Afsari, the Cultural Counsellor of the Iranian Embassy in Ghana, has underscored the need for Muslims undertaking this year's pilgrimage to be committed to the ideals of the exercise.

He said the Hajj represented one of the key pillars of Islam and that they should strive to adhere to its principles before, during and after the exercise, to help strengthen their Islamic faith. Mr Afsari was speaking at a day's symposium on the Hajj, jointly organized by the Tijanniya Movement and the Embassy in Ghana, to sensitize prospective pilgrims on the Hajj at the Central Mosque in Kumasi.

It aimed at educating the participants on travelling procedures, culture of the Saudi people and the essence of the Hajj, to enable them to adopt the best physical and spiritual practices during the exercise. He noted that, it was imperative that well -meaning Muslims always reflected on the doctrines in the holy Quran, to expose them to the tenets in the Holy book so that they live peacefully with their neighbours,.

They should also be good citizens and be law- abiding for a prosperous nation, he added. Sheikh Mohammed Mahey Ibrahim, an Islamic Scholar, enumerated the difficulties pilgrims go through in their bid to undertake the exercise and said he was hopeful that the symposium would enlighten the members on dos and don'ts for a successful Hajj. Mr Afsari later donated 100 copies of the Holy Quran to the Ashanti Regional Chief Imam for onward distribution to needy Muslims.