The 5th and 6th batch of Gambian Muslims on Thursday and Friday respectively departed from the Banjul International Airport for the Holy Land of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform this year’s Hajj.

The pilgrims left on board the Intercontinental Chartered Flight. This year’s package was described by many as the best organised one because everything went as smoothly as planned. Hajj officials expressed optimism that the same trend will continue upto the end of the Hajj. According to Islamic scholars, the whole journey is about purity: of intention, in deeds and actions. At the end of the Hajj, pilgrims return home purified.

Unique FM starts Hajj broadcasts

One of the newest radios on the airwaves has taken it up to cover the Hajj for the first time in Gambia s broadcast history. Unique FM late last week began covering activities of the hajj live for local audiences. Oustass  Abdoulie Drammeh the host for the coverage said this initiative is the first of its kind in The Gambia. Families at home will get to listen to relatives in Saudi, and will get to hear about activities from Medina to Jeddah, Mecca to Muzdalifa, and all the activities of this important Islamic pillar.

The Amir of Hajj, Alhaji Ousman Jah, and various other pilgrims expressed delight with the pioneering initiative.