By: Binta Jaiteh
Honourable Hamat Bah, the Minister of Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, is poised to present a comprehensive policy draft report for the 2025 Hajj operations.
The Minister and his team provided a critical update to Parliament’s select committee on Lands, Regional Government, and Religious Affairs, detailing the robust preparations underway for the 2025 Hajj.
In his address, Minister Bah unequivocally stated that last November, he declared the ministry’s commitment to implementing strategic changes aimed at enhancing the Hajj system for 2025. “Upon assuming my role as Minister and reviewing the existing report, it became clear to me that effective change is imperative,” he asserted.
“The first draft will be ready for review in June, after which Parliament will engage with stakeholders. We are determined to produce a complete and thorough draft by June. Once we finalize the draft, we will scrutinize the existing regulations and identify necessary amendments. We must address all relevant issues, ensuring that the new regulations will effectively govern the Hajj operations in our country,” he confirmed.
Minister Bah emphasized the significant shortcomings in the previous report. “At one point, two thousand Gambians were scattered across sixteen different hotels, making it impossible for a doctor to provide care due to the vast distances,” he pointed out.
“We have proactively engaged with GIEPA to guarantee that all Gambians are housed in a single location. The contract has been finalized, and we have stipulated that any dissatisfaction with the terms and conditions will lead to immediate termination of the agreement,” he declared.
He further articulated the challenges that arose since his administration took office in 2017, resulting from the liberalization of the Hajj policy. “Many individuals sought opportunities to perform Hajj, yet the previous government implemented a liberalized policy without any guiding framework. There was no clear policy directing the Hajj process. While an act exists, it is, absolutely, essential to establish a policy that provides clear guidance throughout the process,” he reasoned to the committee.
