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Muslim pilgrims arrive safely in Dar
2008-01-02 08:33:24
By Nasser Kigwangallah
The government has committed itself to using all avenues available to ensure that all pilgrims return home safely and conveniently after finishing this year`s pilgrimage to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
The remarks were made yesterday by Infrastructure Development minister Andrew Chenge when he was welcoming the first group of 188 Muslim pilgrims at Julius Nyerere International Airport on Monday night soon after their arrival from Saudi Arabia.
The pilgrims were received by Chenge, his deputy, Dr Maua Daftari, Dar es Salaam regional commissioner Abbas Kandoro and National Muslim Council (Bakwata) officials led by its secretary general, Ali Mzee.
The first batch of 188 pilgrims arrived on a Yemen Airlines flight at 11.30hrs on Monday night and the second group, also comprising 188 pilgrims including Bakwata Chief Sheikh, Mufti Issa bin Shaaban Simba, jetted in at 04.30hrs by another Yemen Airlines flight.
The third group aboard the same airline landed at JNIA with 188 pilgrims at 12.30hrs, making the total number of pilgrims to be564, which is equivalent to 26.5 per cent.
Bakwata's Mufti had accompanied the pilgrims to guide them in various steps of performing Hajj rituals.
Chenge said he was sorry for the delay that caused anger and inconvenience to the pilgrims.
``I assure you that the same would not be repeated next year by devising a strategic plan that would ensure proper coordination among groups of agencies ferrying pilgrims to Mecca and Medina to avoid reoccurrence of the ugly situation,`` Chenge said.
The minister said a lesson had been learnt and promised that the government would do all in its power to avoid a repeat.
According to him among the future plans were to build the capacity of Air Tanzania Company Ltd (ATCL) to enable it buy new aircrafts that would carry passengers and not to hire from other people.
He said his ministry was extremely happy that the first plane carrying 188 pilgrims had landed and that all pilgrims were in a happy mood.
``As you can see all top officials of my ministry are here to welcome and see for themselves the return of Muslim pilgrims, showing that we are committed to the welfare of the people's problems,`` he said.
Speaking to The Guardian, a city resident Habib Saleh Mahadhy, who was one of the returned pilgrims, said coordination was lacking among Hajj groups.
He said in order to improve services to pilgrims next year, arrangements by all groups should be closely coordinated.
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