Foreign Ministry Advises Prospective Mecca Pilgrims to Defer Trip
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised the prospective pilgrims to Umrah to temporarily suspend travel plans.
In a statement issued on March 2, 2026, the Ministry cited the rapidly evolving security situation in parts of the Middle East.
According to the Ministry, the travel arrangements for Umrah may be affected by the situation.
“The Ministry therefore advises all prospective Umrah pilgrims who are currently in Ghana and yet to commence their journey to temporarily hold on with travel plans until the situation stabilises. The safety and well-being of Ghanaian nationals remain the Government’s utmost priority.”
Meanwhile, he said Ghanaians already in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Umrah are advised to remain calm, comply strictly with directives issued by local authorities, and maintain regular contact with their travel agents, the Embassy in Riyadh and the Consulate General in Jeddah.
It directed prospective pilgrims and Ghanaian nationals requiring further information or emergency consular assistance to contact +233 240 913 284 or +233 240 793 072 in Ghana and +966 59 776 2966 and +966 56 818 1974 in Saudi Arabia.
There is currently heightened security in the Middle East as the United States and Israel have jointly launched an attack on Iran.
US President Donald Trump said the joint attacks were aimed at “eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime”.
“A short time ago, the US military began a major combat operation in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime,” he said, according to BBC.
As revenge, Iran is targeting Israeli military bases and numerous Gulf Arab states that host US military assets, including Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
An end to the war is not in sight, although Iran has committed to negotiations with the US, welcoming it.
Meanwhile, the clash has claimed the life of the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled for 36 years.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
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