2026 Hajj Preparations Remain On Track Despite Middle East Tensions – PAOG Communications Director

Preparations for the 2026 Hajj pilgrimage remain on course despite rising tensions in the Middle East, according to the Communications Director of the Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana, Alhaji Mohammed Amin Lamptey Hussein.

Speaking in a telephone interview on programme on TV3, Alhaji Amin Lamptey assured prospective pilgrims that there has been no official communication from authorities in Saudi Arabia directing Ghana to suspend preparations for the annual Islamic pilgrimage.

He explained that the Pilgrims Affairs Office has been closely monitoring developments in the Middle East while maintaining constant communication with Saudi authorities responsible for organizing the pilgrimage.

“We are observing the situation very carefully and we are in touch with the Saudi government,” he said. “They have established an effective communication network with all countries involved in the Hajj operations. So far, there has been no official notification asking us to halt our preparations.”

His comments follow discussions sparked by remarks from Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who advised Ghanaians planning to travel to Saudi Arabia for Umrah to temporarily suspend their trips due to the ongoing tensions in the region.

Alhaji Amin Lamptey clarified that the minister’s advisory was directed specifically at Umrah, the voluntary pilgrimage that Muslims can perform at any time of the year, and not the Hajj, which is a mandatory religious obligation and one of the five pillars of Islam.

“The minister was referring to Umrah travel, but some people misconstrued it to mean the Hajj pilgrimage,” he explained. “The two are completely different.”

According to him, while Umrah can be performed multiple times throughout the year depending on an individual’s means, the Hajj is a seasonal pilgrimage that takes place at a specific period annually and requires coordinated preparations by participating countries.

Speaking on Ghana preparations, the Communications Director disclosed that the mandatory medical screening for prospective pilgrims introduced by Saudi authorities as part of new requirements is currently ongoing across the country.

He said the screening exercise has already taken place in the Upper East, Upper West, Northern and Ashanti Regions and has currently concluded in Accra.

After the Accra phase, officials will on Saturday move to Tamale for a two-day mop-up exercise to give prospective pilgrims who missed earlier screenings the opportunity to complete the process.

Alhaji Amin Lamptey urged all pilgrims who have paid their fares or made arrangements to perform the pilgrimage to participate in the screening, stressing that the medical certificate is a key requirement for visa processing.

“This exercise is meant to ensure the safety of pilgrims. It allows the medical team to identify conditions such as hypertension or diabetes early so that proper arrangements can be made before the journey,” he said.

Despite the geopolitical tensions involving countries such as Iran, Israel and the United States, Alhaji Amin Lamptey expressed optimism that the situation will stabilize before the main pilgrimage begins around May 19.

“For now, everything is moving smoothly,” he assured. “We are praying that the tensions will ease soon so that pilgrims across the world can perform the Hajj in peace.”

The assurance comes as thousands of Ghanaian Muslims continue preparations for one of the most significant spiritual journeys in Islam.

Source: Muhammed Faisal Mustapha