First batch of 2016 Hajj pilgrims arrive in Tamale

A smaller carrier airlifted the first batch
The 500 pilgrims arrived at 3:39pm Thursday
The 500 pilgrims arrived at 3:39pm Thursday

The first batch of 500 pilgrims has arrived in Tamale in the Northern Region from Jeddah in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The pilgrims are among 2,000 pilgrims expected to arrive in Tamale between Thursday, September 22 and Monday September 26, 2016, after successfully completing a 30-day Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca.

Landing at exactly 3:39pm on Thursday, the aircraft owned by the Saudi Arabian government made its way to the Tamale Airport after a journey of close to six hours.

Government officials led by the Northern Region Minister, Abdullah Abubakar, welcomed the pilgrims on their arrival.

In a convoy of twelve, the pilgrims were escorted from the Tamale Airport to the Hajj Village where their families have been waiting to receive them.

Another batch of 500 pilgrims are expected to arrive from Mecca on Friday.

By Zubaida Ismail|3news.com|Ghana

Twitter: @3Newsgh

Leave a Reply